Here we are in mid-April in Montreal — that magical, confusing, slightly unhinged time of year that requires decisions. Or, more accurately, “leaps of faith.” Should I finally put the snow boots away? Swap the winter tires? Drag the rake out from wherever I defiantly tossed it back in November? Or, is this all an elaborate meteorological prank, with one last snowstorm lurking like a villain waiting for its cue?
If you have lived in these parts for more than a couple of seasons, you already know the answer: It’s both. It is always both.
Every year, a few brave (or perhaps overly optimistic) souls declare victory over winter at the first sign of double-digit temperatures. Jackets get lighter, patios get swept off and someone — there’s always someone — fires up the barbecue while wearing flip-flops, shorts and a toque. Even though there’s still a suspicious-looking snowbank in the shade. These are the same people who, just days later, find themselves brushing wet, heavy snow off their cars while muttering things that would make a snowplow driver blush.
April in these parts doesn’t gently transition into spring — it negotiates. Aggressively. And last weekend was a perfect example. We watched as the temperature hit 24-degrees C on Saturday only to see a few snow flurries on Sunday
Yes, one day it’s sunglasses and ice cream; the next, it’s mittens and existential dread. The weather app becomes less of a forecast and more of a suggestion, like “maybe bring everything you own, just in case.”
And yet, we fall for it every time. Two sunny days in a row and suddenly we’re convinced winter has packed its bags and moved to Toronto.
But even as we cautiously eye the sky, there are signs — real ones — that spring is winning. The days are longer, the air has that faint smell of thawing earth, and perhaps most importantly, the streets are revealing their annual surprise: potholes. Not just any potholes — these are majestic, water-filled craters that seem less like road damage and more like newly discovered inland lakes.
Driving along roads like Harwood or attempting to manoeuvre through the Tim Horton’s parking lot along Route 201 feels like navigating a fishing expedition. You don’t so much avoid potholes as you scout them, like an angler searching for the perfect spot. “That one looks promising,” you might think, as your car gently disappears into a puddle large enough it could be stocked with trout.
At this point, it wouldn’t be entirely shocking to see someone casting a line into one of these watery hazards. “Caught a nice one just outside the grocery store,” they’d say. “Bit of a fight, but worth it.” If nothing else, it would make the morning drive more entertaining — and possibly more productive.
Of course, amid the weather roulette and aquatic roadways, there’s another bright spot lifting spirits across the island: the continued success of the Montreal Canadiens. After seasons that tested the patience of even the most loyal fans, there is a renewed sense of excitement around the team. Wins feel a little sweeter this year, and suddenly those chilly spring evenings are the perfect excuse to stay in, throw on a jersey and cheer them on.
There’s something comforting about it all — the unpredictability of the season, the shared jokes about “false spring,” the collective sigh when the snow (inevitably) makes one last appearance. It is part of the rhythm of life here. We complain about it, of course. It’s practically a civic duty. But there’s also a quiet appreciation for the absurdity of it all.
So go ahead, take the leap of faith. Put the boots away. But maybe keep them within arm’s reach. Change the tires. But don’t tempt fate too loudly. Start that yard work, even if it’s just a symbolic gesture. Because around here, spring isn’t a single moment, it’s a series of negotiations, compromises and the occasional surprise snowfall.
And if all else fails, at least the Habs are in the playoffs. That counts as progress.
Go Habs Go!
Tom Whelan is a veteran broadcaster who can be heard weekends on CJAD 800 AM. He can be contacted by email at info@the1019report.ca.