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Dont pack away the snow shovel yet

David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment Canada. In his 42 years with Environment Canada's weather service David has become a well respected climate expert, has published several books, papers and reports on the climate of Canada and is author of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. In 2001, David was named to the Order of Canada. (CNW Group/Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO))
David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment Canada. In his 42 years with Environment Canada's weather service David has become a well respected climate expert, has published several books, papers and reports on the climate of Canada and is author of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. In 2001, David was named to the Order of Canada. (CNW Group/Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO))David Phillips, Environment Canada

Don't celebrate the arrive of spring just yet.

Warm weather has been dominating much of the country over the past two weeks, including eastern Ontario, with much melting snow and ice.

Environment Canada's chief climatologist David Phillips told CTV News, it's the length of this warm spell that surprises him.

"You often see, in February, one or two-day wonders - it warms up, and that's a surprise, and then winter comes back," said Phillips.

"But temperatures over the past week and a half have been record-breaking - we're seeing one of the longest February heat waves that I've ever seen, with temperatures that would be typical in early May."

Phillips said this may be the pattern for winters to come as the climate continues to change.

But  don't put away the snow shovel yet.

"We still have March, and our map is looking like March is a little colder than normal," said Phillips.

"Those people who do love winter - there still will be a chance."