Longest dry streak of 2026 in the works across southern Ontario
Enjoy the gentler pattern spreading across the Great Lakes over the next week…or perhaps longer!
Autumn is known for its rollicking storms throughout the Great Lakes. But this transition season also has a gentler side.
We’re in the midst of an impressive dry streak throughout southern Ontario, and there’s no confidence that an end is in sight anytime soon.
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Dry air dominates across southern Ontario
A dominant ridge of high pressure will continue to expand across much of southern Ontario and southern Quebec by Monday. Calmer weather is favoured beneath upper-level ridges as they generate sinking air, which isn’t conducive to precipitation.
This centre of high pressure will reach its peak intensity by Wednesday and Thursday. This feature will split the polar jet stream to the north and the subtropical jet stream to the south, leaving behind an absent storm track across Central Canada.
We may see this pattern stick around for a while. Computer guidance suggests that rainfall will hold off across Ontario through at least next weekend, while regions of Quebec may see showers from a system expected to affect New England later this week.
Easily the longest dry streaks of 2026
Take a look at some of the longest dry streaks so far this year throughout the region:
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Hamilton: 10 days (May 26 - June 4)
Muskoka: 10 days (May 26 - June 4)
Ottawa: 8 days (April 20-27)
Montreal: 8 days (April 21-28)
Toronto: 7 days (May 29 - June 4)
These dry spells aren’t as rare as you’d think. September is famous for having quieter periods. Last year, many communities racked up impressive consecutive days without measurable rainfall, including 16 days in Toronto, Hamilton, and London, with a 13-day streak in Ottawa.
Want a longer stretch without measurable precipitation? Toronto logged an impressive 21 consecutive dry days back in Sept. 2017.
Header image created using graphics and imagery from Canva.