Thursday's temperatures soar in southern Ontario, but don't get too comfortable
Ontario's spring weather remains unpredictable, with the first week of April bringing a mix of 20°C warmth and snow in southern and central regions by Friday
A storm system tracking through northern Ontario will drive more dramatic weather changes in southern Ontario this week.
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Weather Highlights
A storm system will bring dramatic changes to southern Ontario this week
A cold front arriving Thursday evening will drop temperatures by about 10°C on Friday, with accumulating snow possible in central Ontario
Next week could see intermittent warm days, but active weather, including rain and thunderstorms, and cooler conditions are expected to return later in April
Temperatures briefly climb across southern Ontario for Thursday
Wednesday marked the shift to a southerly airflow, gradually bringing warmer conditions to the region. Temperatures on Thursday are forecast to approach close to the 20°C in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), while areas in southwestern Ontario could see highs actually reaching the 20-degree mark.
A cold front will sweep across southern Ontario Thursday afternoon and evening, but it is not expected to produce severe storms like last week's system.
However, temperatures will drop by approximately 10°C on Friday behind the front.
More accumulating snow for central Ontario by Friday
The same front is expected to stall over southern Ontario, drawing in moisture that will bring rain to the GTA and accumulating snow to central Ontario by Friday.
Snowfall accumulations in Muskoka and the Algonquin Highlands are expected to remain at or below 5 cm.
Temperatures in the GTA and Ottawa on Friday are forecast to be near 5°C, which is about 5°C below seasonal averages for mid-April.
Saturday will bring seasonal conditions with mostly sunny skies, a typical early spring day for many regions. By Sunday, cloud cover will increase, and showers are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will vary widely, with an easterly wind keeping conditions cooler near Lake Ontario in the GTA, while Windsor and Sarnia could near 20°C.
More warm days in southern Ontario next week, but the cooler air isn't far away
A warming trend is on tap for Monday and Tuesday, with daytime highs potentially climbing into the low 20s. Following that, the rest of the week and the weekend appear more unsettled, featuring occasional weather changes.
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As April transitions into early May, a cooler pattern may emerge. Even so, "cooler" days are expected to remain warmer than the temperatures experienced earlier this week, as average seasonal norms rise quickly during this time of year.
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Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates across southern Ontario.