Ontario: Trouble brews for Halloween, damaging wind storm follows
Soak up these current pleasant fall conditions before a poorly timed change in the pattern threatens Halloween plans on Thursday
Gorgeous fall weather is back in charge over southern Ontario as temperatures creep back into the high teens for Tuesday. But enjoy these pleasant, mild conditions while you can. Trouble may be brewing for Halloween, and the weather quickly deteriorates into early November. More on the soaking rains and snow that threaten trick-or-treat times on Thursday, plus a look at the potential for a damaging wind storm to end the week, below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
Clear and mild conditions expected across southern Ontario through Tuesday
Eyeing a system that could make for a cool, rainy Halloween with significant snow potential for parts of the north through Friday
Strong cold front with damaging wind gusts possible on Friday
Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area
WATCH BELOW: TRACKING THE NEXT SYSTEM THAT THREATENS HALLOWEEN
High pressure is set to dominate much of Ontario right through the mid-week mark, and that means clear skies, calm winds, and afternoon highs above seasonal -- well above seasonal in some cases.
"These temperatures will be more typical of late September than late October," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.
Enjoy it while you can, though. This latest blast of autumn warmth will be short-lived as temperatures begin to tumble by Wednesday. Rain will also spread across northern parts of the region ahead of a more significant widespread rain that poorly aligns with the timing for Halloween.
SEE ALSO: Canada's got some freaky fall frost stats
TROUBLE BREWS FOR HALLOWEEN
"Periods of soaking rain are likely on Thursday combined with a raw east wind," says Gillham. "We could see some rain-free periods during the day, but at this point, it looks like we will have wet weather for trick-or-treating during the early evening."
Rain is expected to continue through much of the night, although with milder temperatures reaching the mid-teens once again before dropping into Friday morning.
HEAVY SNOW IN THE NORTH
Trade the umbrellas for winter boots and snow shovels for parts of the north on Halloween night as a significant winter-like storm threatens heavy snow through Friday.
As conditions turn much colder, heavy snow is expected to develop across northeastern Ontario Thursday night and into Friday. While there are some inconsistencies between the computer guidance, a snow threat looms for much of the region, including Sault Ste. Marie, Chapleau, and Timmins.
"Major impacts on travel are likely along the Trans-Canada Highway north from Temagami to Kapuskasing with snow totals of 20-40 cm likely combined with extensive blowing and drifting snow," Gillham warns. "This will be a close call for Sudbury, but at this point, it looks like a messy mix with snow and ice likely."
DAMAGING WIND POTENTIAL FOR FRIDAY
While much less significant, parts of the south will have some snow to contend with, as well as bands of lake-effect rain switch to wet snow in the traditional snowbelt regions by Friday night.
It will be the winds that may have more of a damaging impact on the area, however. As a sharp cold front cuts through southern Ontario, wind gusts between 70 and 100+ km/h are possible on Friday.
"Gusts could be higher, especially along the eastern and northeastern shores of the Great Lakes, and there's a threat for tree damage and power outages in areas that see the strongest winds," says Gillham. How strong the winds get will, again, depend on the exact track of the low -- stay with us here at The Weather Network as we continue to track this developing system.
Colder than average temperatures will lock in for at least the first week of November, with a threat for more lake-effect snow once again in the typical snowbelts.
Check back later this week for updates as we continue to monitor the long-range forecast.