With August nearing its end, is summer heat in Ontario gone for good?
Hints of fall have arrived in southern Ontario this week during the final days of August, so does that mean the summer heat is coming to a close, as well?
Summer heat did not disappoint for most Ontarians this year, greatly overachieving across the south and much of the northern sections, too.
Toronto made it to 30°C or warmer 24 times this season, while Ottawa hit that mark on 22 different occasions. Windsor hit 30 degrees or warmer an impressive 29 days this summer.
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But, have we reached the end of the heat with the bout of cool temperatures this week? Temperatures throughout the region will come in 5-10+ degrees below seasonal, more typical of late September than the end of August.
As well, the cool, northwesterly winds blowing over the warm waters of the Great Lakes are contributing to some scattered, lake-effect showers and a waterspout risk until Wednesday.
Are you ready for the cooldown?
Through Friday will be the coolest five-day stretch we’ve seen since the last week of May.
Readings will likely come in five or more degrees below seasonal for many communities in southern Ontario for the final week of August. It’ll be tough to crack 20°C on Tuesday around cottage country and the Lake Huron shores.
The waters of the Great Lakes are cooling, nights are lengthening and expectations are lowering.
Is this it for the summer heat?
Warm-weather lovers might meet this forecast with concern that the heat has come to an end. Toronto, Ottawa, and Windsor average around one to two 30-degree days during a typical September.
Heat waves in September are not uncommon, but most of the province can’t guarantee a 30°C day after Labour Day.
While the odds of hitting that mark quickly diminish as summer fades, long-range forecast models suggest temperatures will rebound back to seasonal—and even above-seasonal at times—as we head into the beginning of the new month.
The average, high temperatures to start September for some cities include 25°C in Windsor, 23.5°C in Toronto, 22.5°C in Ottawa, 21.5°C in Huntsville, 20.5°C in Thunder Bay, 20°C in Kenora, and 19.5°C in Timmins.
Warmth looks to return for early September, likely tilting 1-2°C above normal in the south and 3-5°C above normal in the north. Welcome news for many, but it will be a challenge to reach that more difficult 30°C bar.
However, that chance is there for a decent portion of Ontario to hit it next month, while southwestern sections have pretty good odds of seeing a 30°C reading.
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Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Ontario.