Ontario’s 20-degree promise this week may not hold up for some
While the season’s first patio weather is coming up in Ontario this week, some may not want to ditch the sweaters just yet. The ingredients for a warm spell are en route, but the Great Lakes have a trick up their sleeve.
DON’T MISS: This week’s abundant sunshine will pack a severe sunburn risk
Let’s set the stage.
Southern Ontario is coming out of the darkest winter in 76 years due to an active storm track and cloudy lake conditions.
And the start to spring was no different. Southern Ontario battled seemingly endless Colorado and Texas lows that resulted in snow, rain and ice storms. It’s safe to say that it's been a while since we have seen a consistent break in the gloomy weather. But that break begins now.
This week features the longest stretch of dry weather since at least September 2022.
A ridge of high pressure is on a cross-country tour, entering southern Ontario by Tuesday. Within it, the ingredients are there for clearer skies and a warmup that could have southern Ontario soaring into the 20s and beyond.
The late spring start has meant cooler-than-normal temperatures have dominated thus far.
Lake-breeze troubles
While residents on Hamilton Mountain or London bask in temperatures approaching the mid-20s, those in Oshawa and Niagara Falls will be seriously wondering what all the fuss is about.
The water temperature in Lake Erie is barely 4°C, with Lake Ontario not much warmer. It’s possible this week it’s barely 10°C for highs near Niagara Falls, while Hamilton Mountain sits close to 25°C -- just a 45-minute drive away.
Even neighbourhood by neighbourhood, the temperature variation will be off the charts for the city of Toronto. If you’re planning a trip to the Scarborough Bluffs, bring a sweater.
Eastern Ontario is off the hook from these extreme lake-breeze boundaries, so by Thursday, the warmth will spread to Ottawa.
Those who are surrounded by warmer temperatures will exponentially be increasing time spent outside.
Remember, the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface is similar to a late-August day. Protection is required to avoid a significant sunburn.
