Record-breaking mild temperatures felt in Waterloo region on Valentine's Day

Spring was in the air in Waterloo region on Tuesday as the temperature hit a record-breaking high of 8 C by 2 p.m.

The previous record for the warmest temperature at the Region of Waterloo International Airport was 6.5 C in 1984, Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. 

Many people were outside enjoying the sunshine and unseasonable warmth, like Gayle Williams, who was out for a walk with a friend in Victoria Park in Kitchener, Ont. 

"I have my running shoes on rather than boots so I'm pretty happy," Williams said. "After that bitter cold we had, this is just a lovely break." 

Wednesday could be even warmer with a forecasted high temperature of 13 C. The current record for Feb. 15 is 8.9 C, set back in 1976. 

This winter has been unusually warm and Coulson said there isn't a single major cause that anybody can put their finger on. 

"Certainly the big story throughout this winter has been the lack of any long lasting cold snaps or even long lasting periods of seasonal temperatures. But that doesn't mean that we couldn't go right back to a very cold winter next year," Coulson said. 

"We do know that the climatologists tell us that winters like this one could become more common," he added. 

Manpreet Kaur didn't mind Tuesday's mild weather. This is her second winter in Canada and she enjoyed the sunny warmth on her walk to Conestoga College's downtown Kitchener campus. 

It was nice to not have to wear a winter jacket, Kaur said. 

Amanda Snider was also out for a walk in a sweater, something she normally isn't able to do in February. 

"It's nice when the weather is nice enough to actually go out and enjoy it. The sun is just beautiful," said Snider, who works from home and was out on an afternoon walk on Tuesday. 

A special weather statement issued Tuesday for Waterloo region, Guelph and southern Wellington County warns strong winds are expected Wednesday afternoon into the evening.

"Temperatures are expected to soar into the low to mid double digits on Wednesday making it feel more like late March or early April. These warm temperatures will help create gusty conditions with wind gusts near 80 km/h expected," the Environment Canada statement says.