Hamilton smashes 55 year-old cold weather record, near double-digit highs on the way

Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 6:12 PM -

Double-digit highs are set to return to Ontario, but residents will have to get through a blast of wintry weather first.

Tuesday was positively frigid in the province with multiple communities reaching all-time record lows.

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One of the most notable records broken was in Hamilton, which smashed a long-standing cold weather record from 1959.

On Tuesday, a low of -10C was recorded in the city, replacing the previous record of -9.4 degrees Celsius -- without the windchill.

"That record holds up when we look back over the past 60 years," says Weather Network meteorologist Dayna Vettese.

"There was a day in the 1800s that was about a degree colder than Tuesday's record-breaking temperature, but we aren't sure how accurate that reading is."

Meanwhile, snow squall watches and blowing snow advisories remained in effect across southern Ontario Tuesday.

Motorists in Waterloo, Huron, and Grey-Bruce counties are being warned to prepare for wind gusts up to 70 km/h and near-zero visibilities near lake Huron through the day, improving "somewhat" as the evening progresses.

"Weather advisories for blowing snow are issued when winds are expected to create blowing snow giving poor visibility to 800 metres or less for at least three hours," Environment Canada in a statement.

TRICKY ROAD CONDITIONS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY

"Squalls will drift back north into cottage country, and out of the GTA, Wednesday morning," Vettese says.

"The are not expecting the epic snowfall amounts they’ve received in New York but 10-15 cm is possible in southern Niagara and could bring a light dusting to northern Niagara and even toward GTA."

Another system will move in Wednesday afternoon, bringing the potential for more snow. About 5 cm is expected across the Toronto area with, some areas possibly seeing up to 7 centimetres.

"The timing is such that the snow will impact the evening commute," Vettese warns.

"Because the sun will be setting and road temperatures will be cold there will be little melting so will likely cause problems for the commute. We could receive a bit of lake enhancement for the GTA from Lake Ontario which could add to our snowfall amounts. Winds won’t be as strong Wednesdaybut still gusty enough that it could cause a bit of blowing and drifting."

The conditions are expected to taper overnight.

ONTARIO HEATS UP FOR THE WEEKEND

Seasonal daytime highs in southern Ontario hover around the 6C mark, and temperatures will slowly start to climb towards, and then pass, that temperature.

Parts of Ontario will enjoy above-seasonal temperatures this weekend with daily highs around the double-digits.

Forecasters are calling it a 'November thaw.'

"We could see double-digit temperatures on Monday, up to 10 degrees ... but it doesn't last," Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham said Tuesday.

Temperatures will start to fall again by the start of the next work week.