Temperature records were broken in 25 locations across Ontario Wednesday, where it felt more like spring than winter, while Quebec City and Montreal also saw their warmest Feb. 3 ever.

But Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips says this mild winter may be cause for concern.

“While you’re feeling comfortable, there are some horror stories behind the scenes,” he told CTV’s Canada AM Thursday.

Phillips worries that this year’s winter won’t be cold enough to kill off many pests and insects that carry disease.

“Now, we could have a horde of grasshoppers. There could be deer tick problems, Lyme disease,” he said. “So we really have to wait to see the summer to see if there are things left over.”

Not only has this winter been warm, it’s also been dry. Ontario and Quebec recorded their driest November and December in more than 55 years.

The shortage of snow could also hurt crops that rely on snow for insulation, Phillips said. And while there likely won’t be much flooding from the spring melt this year, there may not be enough precipitation to feed crops or maintain water levels on the lakes we use for water, irrigation and boating.

The warm weather may be nice for those who hate winter and love golf, but the high temperatures have forced the closure of the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, and dampened Winterlude festivities in the country’s capital.

Even the annual Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race in Saskatchewan has been cancelled due to lack of snow; Labrador’s Cain's Quest snowmobile race is in jeopardy too.

Homeowners might be saving money on heating costs and sidewalk salt, but it’s been disastrous for retailers who now have far too many snowblowers, parkas and winter boots on their shelves, with only a few weeks left to sell them.

“We’re now at the point where people aren’t just postponing their purchases; they’re cancelling them,” said Phillips.

Canadians have El Nino to thank for this unusual winter, but even Phillips says he’s been stunned by just how warm it’s been.

“I’ve been in the business a half century. I’ve never seen conditions like yesterday where we broke records that have been around since 1842,” he said.

He says if he were in charge of the weather, all Canadian winters would be cold and summers would always be warm.

“That’s what’s normal,” he said. “But we have to redefine what winter is now.”