Funny, for us January is easily the most brutal winter month on average, though things can vary quite a bit from one year to the next.

Wintery weather can show up well into April, but there's usually a definite change after the middle of February. The days are longer and the sun is higher in the sky. Consequently, the city quits maintaining the outdoor rinks after the 2nd or 3rd week of February. Whatever ice buildup has formed on the residential roads starts to break up.

At the same time, February can often be snowier even though it's milder. It's my favorite winter month.