Global warming? Seems like it. Should we be concerned? Certainly seems so. This was Ottawa and area a full year ago:

Fran Young shelters herself with an umbrella against Tuesday morning's wind and snow on Ash Lane. Light snow was to give way to bitter cold and biting winds, with the temperature plunging well into the -20s by late evening. Photograph by: Pat McGrath , The Ottawa Citizen

OTTAWA — It was only -1C Tuesday afternoon, downright balmy for this time of year, but the temperature was expected to plunge sharply over the subsequent 12 hours to –26. And according to Environment Canada, gusting winds would make it feel like –34.

At this time of year, the normal transition from winter into spring, normal highs for daylight hours are expected to be around 3 degrees Celsius. Last year at this time ambient temperatures in the great out-of-doors were slightly below normal.

And this year? We've been treated, confronted with, puzzled by temperatures that in no way resemble normalcy. On one hand, it's a break from the wind, cold and snow we generally experience at this time of year. On the other, it's a manifestation of something gone somewhat berserk in our atmosphere; certainly cause for some level of concern. When we spoke with our younger son last night who lives in Vancouver, Canada's perennial warm spot, he informed us it was at that time, snowing. Although true to form, cherry blossoms were out.

And this year, in Ottawa? How does this look, then?

Skiers enjoy spring skiing at Camp Fortune in Gatineau Park on Sunday, March 18, 2012 with an unconfirmed record high of 24 C exceeding the 16 C of 1966. Photograph by: Pat McGrath , Ottawa Citizen