With the mercury on the plus side of the thermometer and a relative lack of snow, many Newfoundlanders may be wondering where winter went.

That’s not the case in many parts of the mainland where Canadians are experiencing bone-chilling temperatures.

Former weather journalist with the Weather Network and author Chris St. Clare says warm ocean temperatures are the cause.

“The beauty of living in Atlantic Canada,” says St. Clare, “is you have the very warm Atlantic Ocean—warm in contrast to how cold the air can get, and that can protect you from the bitter cold. That’s what’s been happening so far.”

However, St. Clare says that contrast can also result in unsettled weather, like the high winds and surf that pounded many east-facing coastlines last weekend.

“It’s just the displacement of warm and cold air and that’s why you had such windy weather this past weekend.”

St. Clare, who is currently writing a book on the effects of changing climate across Canada, hopes to have it out sometime this year.