If you found yourself craving some sunshine in Ontario in recent months, it is likely because the province experienced one of the darkest winter seasons in nearly a century.

According to solar energy data from the ECMRF center, parts of Ontario saw lower solar energy levels between December 2022 and February 2023 than recorded in the past 83 years, or since 1940.

Decreased sunlight was noted by climate scientist Brian Breitschneider while reviewing the ECMRF dataset. The maps drawn by Breitschneider reflect solar anomalies, measurements used to determine the amount of solar energy the area receives compared to what is usual.

On Breitschneider’s maps, areas such as Tobermory, Collingwood, the Manitoulin region, Prince Edward County, and the eastern Lake Ontario region experienced the greatest solar energy deficit in Ontario this winter.

Breitschneider said the month with the greatest solar energy deficit in Ontario was January. During the first weeks of January, the Greater Toronto Area did not have a sunny day for more than two weeks, according to The Weather Network, and London, Ontario did not have a sunny day from December 4, 2022, to January 8, 2023.

Breitschneider said periods without sunlight, such as those Ontario experienced in January, can have psychological effects.

He also explained: “Some sunlight significantly improves individuals' moods, so the absence of sunlight in many locations contributes to feelings of depression this winter.”

He mentioned that Ontario experienced a lot of humidity and cloud cover toward the Great Lakes region, and with all those clouds, there was no significant solar activity compared to past years.

The Greater Toronto Area is expected to experience several spring-like days early next week, with Monday and Tuesday forecasted to be sunny with temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius, according to Environment Canada.

It is noted that the first day of spring will be March 20, but residents will not be able to fully say goodbye to winter weather.

According to The Farmer’s Almanac, southern Ontario and the Great Lakes region will face snow and wet weather in early April,

and the province will see more rainfall than usual along with periods of stormy weather from mid to late April.