Thunder risk builds as 2,000 km storm kicks off Ontario’s long weekend
Friday's thunderstorm risk extends nearly 2,000 km from Texas to Ontario!
Summer-like warmth arriving in Ontario to end the week will fuel a risk for thunderstorms across portions of the province. A few of the storms could even approach severe limits.
Parts of Ontario could turn out warmer than Los Angeles on Friday, kicking off the Easter long weekend with a deceptively pleasant start.
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A centre of low pressure moving into the Great Lakes will raise temperatures throughout the southern half of Ontario to end the week.
Warm, moist winds blowing from the south will tip most of southern Ontario above seasonal on Friday. The day’s high temperature could reach 25°C in Windsor, with temperatures expected to climb to around 15°C in Toronto.
Rain associated with this approaching low will sweep across the region in two batches. The first round arrives with the warm front on Friday morning.
A chance for showers will build over the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and north of the 401, but it won’t be a washout. The precipitation will lift into Ottawa by the late morning and afternoon hours. Folks across cottage country will experience more persistent rain through the day.
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The low-pressure system’s cold front will trigger additional rain and thunder arriving Friday afternoon and evening, lasting into the overnight hours. A widespread chance for rain and thunder will build across southern and eastern Ontario into early Saturday morning.
A few of the storms could approach severe limits with heavy rain, large hail, and strong wind gusts.
The greatest chances of severe storms will exist through Grey-Bruce from the Huron shores east of Lake Simcoe. Monitor local weather alerts and stay aware of rapidly changing conditions in your area.
The rainy conditions are expected to improve by Saturday afternoon, although stubbornly cloudy skies may continue to cast a layer of gloom over the rest of the day.
The sun could make a brief appearance on Sunday, but cooler temperatures, bitter winds, and possible scattered showers won't help improve the weekend's rainy theme.
Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on your weather across Ontario.