Ontario dives from warmest day of 2022 into a weekend wintry mix

Digital WritersThe Weather Network

Published on Mar. 17, 2022, 1:17 PM

Updated on Mar. 18, 2022, 12:44 AM

Spring is living up to its reputation as a wild season of transition this year. Parts of Ontario that hit 20°C on Thursday could see a wintry mix by this weekend.

What a beautiful day we saw across Ontario on Thursday as high temperatures soared into the upper teens and even cracked the 20°C mark in a few communities. Above-seasonal temperatures will continue on Friday and Saturday ahead of our next system moving into the Great Lakes region. Most of southern Ontario will see rain from the approaching system, but cold air wrapping behind it could lead to a wintry mix. More on what’s ahead, below.

Visit our Complete Guide to Spring 2022 for an in-depth look at the Spring Forecast, tips to plan for it and much more!

FRIDAY AND BEYOND: ABOVE-SEASONAL TEMPERATURES CONTINUE UNTIL THE NEXT SYSTEM ARRIVES

Warm southwesterly winds allowed most of southern Ontario to enjoy unseasonable warmth this St. Patrick’s Day, with temperatures exceeding the 20-degree mark in communities like Windsor and Sarnia.

Thursday’s warmth will wane a bit by Friday, but daytime highs will remain above seasonal with readings in the upper single or lower double digits for the region.

A Texas low approaching the Great Lakes will bring our next bout of active weather across southern Ontario.

Precipitation will begin to push into the province overnight Friday into Saturday. The heaviest precipitation will fall through Saturday morning, with a lull expected during the day on Saturday.

We can expect 10-20 mm of rain for most areas through Sunday morning, with locally higher totals possible, especially in southwestern and eastern sections.

Cooler air filtering in behind the storm could allow a wintry mix to develop over southern Ontario on Sunday morning as the system pulls away from the region.

Fair and mild weather is expected to return for Sunday and early next week. Above-seasonal temperatures will persist through mid-week, but another Texas low is expected to bring widespread rain.

Forecasters are also watching the potential for a colder pattern to return for the final few days of March. April is expected to test our patience at times with periods of colder weather.

Thumbnail courtesy of Erik Witsoe via Unsplash.

Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast in Ontario.