Rainy midweek ahead of summer-like heat in southern Ontario
theweathernetwork.com
Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 9:38 AM - A rainy Wednesday is on tap for residents in southern Ontario, with cooler temperatures expected. The good news? A delayed start to spring does not always mean a delayed start to summer. There's hope on the horizon. More on that below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
- Rain lingers across the region through the day Wednesday; into Thursday for eastern Ontario
- GTA and central Ontario generally looking at 30 mm of rain with this system, while southwestern and eastern regions will be around 15-25 mm
- A few snow showers in northeastern Ontario, ending through the day
WATCH BELOW: RAIN TIMING
Despite the recent mild conditions, parts of southern Ontario are currently on track for one of the coldest April's on record. And the cool and showery days this week won't help.
WILL THIS BE OUR COLDEST APRIL ON RECORD? WATCH BELOW
The bulk of the precipitation pushes east of Toronto by early Wednesday afternoon, though a few showers and cloudy skies may linger back as far as London through the afternoon hours. Expect the heaviest showers in Ottawa Wednesday afternoon through early evening.
Most of the region will see between 15 to 30 mm by Thursday, with temperatures returning to below seasonal values as well. Sunshine will spread across the region from west to east through the afternoon hours.
(COTTAGE REPORT: UNOFFICIAL START TO SUMMER IS AROUND THE CORNER. CHECK OUT OUR COTTAGE REPORT & START PLANNING!)
COOLER, EARLY APRIL-LIKE WEATHER RETURNS FOR THE WEEKEND
We are watching the timing of an approaching cold front late week, which could jeopardize Friday afternoon's weather, though at this point, any rain showers should hold off until mid-evening.
"Saturday will be a rather chilly day, feeling more like early April with a gusty northwest wind and a passing shower possible," says The Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "However, we will see some sun on Saturday and full sunshine is expected for Sunday."
SIGNS OF EARLY SUMMER HEAT!
Another temporary warm-up is on the horizon for early next week and it's possible that Toronto's Pearson Airport will reach 20°C for the first time this year on April 30th. After that, cooler than normal temperatures are expected through the first weekend of May.
"Wednesday and Thursday will be the warmest days of the week, with the potential for temperatures to reach well into the mid 20s," says Gillham. "In fact, the expected pattern would readily support temperatures reaching the upper 20s for parts of the region, with the humidex reaching well into the 30s, but our forecast will remain somewhat more conservative until confidence in the pattern increases."
The temperature uncertainty arises due to the timing of a cold front that will eventually bring an end to our period of warmer weather. If it arrives late Wednesday versus late Thursday, this would bring too much cloud cover during the day and would hold temperatures to the lower 20s.
"Regardless, our warmest weather of the year thus far is on the way for a few days next week, but whether or not we will feel summer-like warmth is still highly uncertain," adds Gillham.
A period of cooler than normal temperatures are expected for the first weekend of May, but according to Gillham, there is more confidence for June to be a "rather warm month" (even warmer than normal).
WE'RE DONE WITH THE SNOW, RIGHT?
"It's not uncommon to see snow squalls off Georgian Bay right through until late May towards the snow belt regions of southern Ontario," warns Erin Wenckstern, another meteorologist at The Weather Network. "But likely for the rest of the southern regions, we're done with snowfall."
However, that's not to say it's impossible for a May snowfall. The last time it snowed in Toronto in May for example, was just two years ago in 2016. Meanwhile, the biggest May snowfall for the city was back in 1976 when 2.3 cm was recorded throughout the month.
"I'd say it's safe to take off your snow tires in southern Ontario because even if we do see snow into May, it's likely not going to be sticking around," Wenckstern adds.
For detailed updates on Niagara and the GTA, please check Your Weather First.
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