Breaking out of the deep freeze: Ontario set to enjoy a seasonal long weekend
After several weekends of frigid conditions, temperatures in southern Ontario are set to rise, bringing more seasonable conditions for the Family Day long weekend
Ontario is set to break out of the deep freeze just in time for the Family Day long weekend.
After last weekend’s bone-chilling wind chills of -30, temperatures will rise to seasonal values, providing a noticeable contrast.
On Friday, sunshine will give way to increasing clouds with a period of snow in the evening. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) could see 1-3 cm of accumulation, while areas north and east of the GTA may pick up 2-5 cm. This coating of snow could be enough to slow commute times through Friday night.
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The weekend will feel milder, with daytime highs near or slightly above 0°C and lows around -4°C. Wind chills will hover between 0 and -8, significantly warmer than last weekend’s daytime highs of -13°C.
While normal highs for this time of year are about -1°C, this weekend’s temperatures are a welcome break from the recent freeze.
Northern Ontario could see a mix of snow and rain Sunday into Monday, especially in areas such as Thunder Bay and Kenora. Southern Ontario will enjoy fair conditions, ideal for travel or outdoor plans.
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Don't write off the winter season just yet
Early next week remains fair and calm, but a messy system may impact the region on Wednesday. Rain is likely for southwestern Ontario, with snow and mixed precipitation elsewhere.
Expect an active weather pattern with messy systems and fluctuating temperatures during the final 10 days of the month. The region will become a battleground as arctic air from the northwest pushes southeast, clashing with a very mild pattern from the eastern U.S. attempting to advance northward.