As the calendar turns over March, most people begin to believe spring will be here.

However, after several warm spells, old man winter has blown in again with cold temperatures and more snow.

David Phillips, Senior Climatologist for Environment Canada, says this winter has been close to normal for the foothills area.

"This has been a bit cruel," Phillips said about the change in weather from a few balmy Chinooks to full on winter this week.

"Weather can attack you from every direction. We've been seeing bouts of warmer air coming from the Pacific, but now we are seeing a total change coming from the Arctic."

"I think what you are going to see this week is what is possible in March where you can go from the bouts of dead of winter cold, to not necessarily muscle shirts and tank tops kind of warmth but clearly on the warm side."

He added last year was the warmest Spring on record, so if you can survive March, April and May look pretty good.