Temperatures stay well below normal in Ontario for the last weekend of April
Temperatures will remain well below seasonal as we enter the final weekend of April in Ontario, with the chances for snow even creeping back into the forecast early next week
After earlier teases with summer-like heat this month, the end of April will be a more typical finish for southern Ontario, perhaps even a bit more disappointing than usual with colder-than-normal air dominating.
The same blocking pattern responsible for the recent dreary conditions in southern Ontario will be reinforced with another upper-level low that will stall over top of Ontario once again by the weekend.
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Although sunny skies will splash through for parts of this week, temperatures will remain well below seasonal. Scattered showers will then develop as early as Friday, but the more unsettled period will sweep through Saturday overnight and last through early next week.
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Atmospheric patterns can take different forms and shapes. Across Ontario over the weekend and into next week, we are going to be seeing the impacts of what is called an omega block.
"An omega blocking pattern will set up this weekend, preventing the low from moving, which will leave the unsettled conditions lingering," says Matt Grinter, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "Scattered and persistent rain will set up through the weekend and early next week."
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An omega block takes form high up in the atmosphere, where high pressure becomes sandwiched between two areas of low pressure. The troughs and ridges that settle in take the shape of the Greek letter, omega.
Temperatures may be the even bigger story with this pattern, as a cold, northwest wind will set up for a couple of days next week, reinforcing cooler air, which will lead to freezing temperatures through the overnights and even single-digit daytime highs.
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"There is the potential that snow could make its way back into southern Ontario early next week," Grinter adds.
It will be a very chilly start to May across the region, with temperatures more typical of early April and possibly late March. Temperatures will remain cooler than seasonal through the first week of May, though conditions should trend closer to seasonal during the second week of May.
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Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Ontario as we head into May.
Thumbnail credit: Pexels/Brett Sayles.