Environment Canada's latest temperature anomaly outlook predicts a warm, dry spring for the entire country. (Environment Canada)

Spring in Canada will be warmer and drier than usual, Environment Canada is predicting.

Between April 1 and June 30, temperatures in 137 cities from coast to coast to coast will likely be above normal and precipitation lower than normal, according to the ministry's spring outlook released Thursday.

The outlook, in map form, paints Canada red from St. John's in the east to Shingle Point, Yukon, in the west, and from Alert, Nunavut, in the north to Windsor, Ont., in the south. There is a small, uninhabited island east of Newfoundland that remains blue, where temperatures are expected to remain normal.

'It's not something I'd plan your holidays on.'—Dave Phillips, Environment Canada

"What we're seeing is really two words to describe this period … warm and dry," said Dave Phillips, a climatologist with Environment Canada.

Phillips warns, however, that the outlook should not be confused with a daily weather forecast.

Instead, the outlook offers a suggestion of the "personality and the character" of the three months in question. It does not offer any information on severe weather patterns, storminess, humidity or air quality, for example. And it does not mean that temperatures will be warm every day or that it will never rain.

"It's not something I would plan your holidays on," Phillips told CBC News.

A warning for forest firefighters

One group might benefit from the outlook, Phillips said: forest firefighters. Knowing ahead of time that the spring months are likely to be warm and dry — conditions perfect for forest fires — could prompt them to mobilize their crews and equipment before the season starts.

Predictions of a warm and dry spring across Canada could help forest firefighters mobilize crews and equipment to help prevent fires like this one in Ontario in 2006. (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/Canadian Press)

"It doesn't tell them where the fire's going to be … [but it does show the] likelihood of infernos is higher this year than last year," he said.

The outlook might also be helpful in predicting the supply of various types of crops, although Phillips said real success would require further and localized analysis.

"If I was a farmer, would I pay attention [to the outlook] and plan according to [it]?" he asked.

His short answer: no.

Based on complicated analysis

The forecasts are based on numerical weather prediction models of considerable complexity, according to Environment Canada.

For the average Canadian trying to plan a barbecue, weekend camping trip or summer holiday, Phillips acknowledges the outlook might have little value.

But he said Canadians are generally "fascinated by the weather" and the outlook satisfies their curiosity.

"It'll never be perfect … but as long as people understand what the meaning is of these forecasts, then we'll be in a better position to provide Canadians with timely, credible seasonal forecasts," said Phillips.

Britain scraps seasonal outlook

Canada is not the only country to produce seasonal weather outlooks. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology and the National Weather Service in the U.S. also produce them.

Britain's Met Office announced on March 5 that it was scrapping its seasonal outlooks in favour of monthly ones.

"We take seriously our responsibility to provide the best possible service to the public," the weather office said in a press release.

"Although long-range forecasts are vital in some parts of the world, and can be useful for some specialists … we know that they are of limited use to the public," the Met Office said.

"They are not something that could be used to plan a holiday," it added.

Environment Canada will release its next seasonal outlook, covering May, June and July, on May 1.