Rain finally arrives for Ontario and Quebec after parched August
After weeks of bone-dry skies and raised fire hazard, showers and thunderstorms are expected to drench areas of Ontario and Quebec, though with a few twists.
August has been a dry month in Ontario and Quebec, with cities such as Ottawa, Montreal and Sherbrooke receiving far less rain than usual.
Some places were without rain for over a week, resulting in extremely high fire danger ratings and dozens of out-of-control blazes.
Yet the dry spell is going to be broken. A slow-moving low pressure system is resting over Quebec, drawing in cooler air and eventually bringing rain to the province.
On the back end, a cold front is predicted to move through Thursday, sparking thunderstorms and providing some much-needed relief to parched ground.
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Thunderstorms bring relief and uncertainty
The highest rains are expected in southern Ontario and around the St. Lawrence River, with thunderstorms increasing totals in certain areas.
Eastern townships in Quebec could experience the most rainfall by Friday as the low stalls, while eastern Ontario and southern Quebec will see milder showers over the weekend.
The amount of rain that will fall is unclear. Tornadoes are notoriously difficult to predict and where they strike, rainfall could be far heavier than expected.
That's a mixed blessing for firefighters and farmers who want long-lasting, soaking showers rather than brief spurts.
Cooler air and even a frost risk
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By Friday, the weather changes again. As northwesterly winds blow across the Great Lakes, cottage country can expect lake-effect showers.
Daytime highs in Ontario and Quebec may struggle to reach 20°C, a significant drop from earlier this week.
Forecasters predict a surprising late-August chill, with northeastern Ontario and western Quebec perhaps seeing frost by Friday morning if temperatures drop below freezing.
For the time being, the rain is welcome, even if it brings with it some uncertainty. After one of the driest Augusts in recent memory, every drop matters.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest across Ontario and Quebec.