Warmer days coming to Ontario, but be sure to savour it
March can be a very changeable month across much of Canada, as the battle of the airmasses attempt to win out.
Visit our Complete Guide to Spring 2021 for an in-depth look at the Spring Forecast, tips to plan for it and much more!
This week has been the prime example of just that across southern Ontario, as dangerous snow squalls started the week, followed by an early spring warm-up that saw temperatures soar well above freezing by Wednesday.
But after that warmth, temperatures tumbled back to someting more seasonal, and The first will week of March will come to close this weekend, and on Friday some mild lake-effect snow started up again by the evening. Some may still wake up to a few flakes early Saturday, but all in all, it won't be a blowout in terms of amounts.
Now, as we finish off the first full week of March, daytime highs will take another tumble into the weekend, though sitting around more seasonal values for this time of year. Of the two weekend days, Sunday will feel slightly warmer, as winds begin to ease.
EARLY SPRING TEASE KICKS OFF THE NEW WORK WEEK
The pattern takes a turn for a more spring-like feel by Monday, with an extended stretch of mild days and above seasonal temperatures expected.
"Tuesday and Wednesday will feel more like early April and there is even some overachieve potential in our temperatures forecast during the middle of next week," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "If we hold onto the sunshine and we can avoid having the wind blow off of Lake Ontario, we will see widespread double-digit temperatures."
As tempting as it can be to pack away the parkas, and think full spring with temperatures rising and the worst of winter behind us -- we know better. Any warm weather at this time of year should be savoured, as a few parting shots from winter can be expected during March and April, and sometimes even May, before the frosty season eventually surrenders.
In fact, on average in the city of Toronto, roughly 5 cm of snow is recorded during the month of April, while further east into the Ottawa area, 10+ cm typically falls.
Still, according to the official Spring Forecast, a warmer season is upon us and March will offer these tastes of early spring weather, especially after a very wintry February.
"We do not expect the colder weather will take over the season as it has during the past few years," says Gillham in the forecast release. "We expect that the back and forth temperature swings will come close to offsetting each other across Ontario, except for far northwestern areas near Hudson Bay."
Be sure to check back for the weather across Ontario as we march into spring.
