New all time February records broken for Ontario heat

Thursday, February 4, 2016, 6:30 AM - Weather Network meteorologists said it was a guarantee, and it sure didn't take long before records started to fall across parts of southern Ontario Wednesday morning.

"A plethora of new record maximum temperatures have been set February 3 across parts of southern Ontario," Environment Canada said in a statement. "Previous record highs have been shattered by several degrees on this day, which is more typical of mid April." 

Southwestern communities including Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia and Welland all broke previous records set back in 1991, with both Windsor and Sarnia climbing to 11°C during the early morning hours. By noon, both communities as well as the city of London had already reached 13°C.

The record to beat at Toronto's Pearson International Airport was 9.3°C, also set on February 3, 1991. That record was officially broken by the early afternoon, when Toronto Pearson reached a balmy double-digit high of 16.0°C.

"Officially, the Toronto and Kitchener areas experienced new all time maximum temperatures in the mid teens for February," EC says. "What makes this record even more amazing is that one would expect the highest temperatures to be recorded near the end of February, when the sun is much higher in the sky, closer to the beginning of spring."

WINTERLUDE MELTS TO "WATERLUDE"

While some Ontarians were happy to shed the layers, the above seasonal and record breaking temperatures are taking a toll on winter festivals including Ottawa's Winterlude.

Mild temp temperatures forced the closure of the Rideau Canal Skateway and the entire snowflake kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park. Half of the site at Confederation Park is also off-limits.

Officials say when the temperatures drop again later this week, crews will work to reinforce the facilities.

COLD AIR RETURNS

According to Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham, the February warm up will be short-lived as a cold front sweeps across the region and will bring more seasonal temperatures for the end of the week and weekend.

With the Great Lakes still almost ice-free, heavy lake snow squalls are likely in the snow belt regions through the second week of February.

Want to know more about the second half of winter? Check out our UPDATED Winter Forecast here.