Weather curveball: Snow expected in southern Ontario early next week as temperatures plunge

Mother Nature gave southern Ontario an incredible tease of the summer as Toronto broke a nearly 50-year weather record due to soaring temperatures and sunny skies. That’s all about to change as we head into the weekend.

Thanks to a Colorado Low, regions north of Toronto — including Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Huntsville and Barrie — could wake up to snowy conditions on Tuesday, with temperatures forecasted to plummet through the weekend — temperatures more typical of late March and early April.

That low-pressure system arriving in northern Ontario will bring a cold front across southern Ontario on Sunday, which will likely lead to showers and thunderstorms. Snowfall amounts will be limited to flurries across the GTA and much of southern Ontario, but Lake Huron and parts of cottage country could have up to 5 cm of snow into Monday.

Toronto is expected to evade the snow and will likely get a messy mix of rain and flurries to start the week, with an early forecasted high of 8 C and a similar daytime high on Tuesday — a far cry from what was felt this week.

There could be a rain shower-flurries mix in Toronto on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Though subject to change, Wednesday and Thursday look promising, with daytime highs of 13 C and 14 C and sunny conditions forecasted in the city.

Gorgeous, summer-like weather continues Saturday

As for the good news, Friday was another beautiful day, and southern Ontario residents have Saturday to look forward to, with it shaping up to be another gorgeous, though cooler, 24 hours throughout much of the province.

Environment Canada issued an air quality statement in Toronto on Friday, noting that some experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath.

Good morning #Toronto. I see you playing hooky out there today. Why wouldn't you after seeing this? #iamnotcondoningit pic.twitter.com/YzgkNFIzOf

— Natasha Ramsahai (@CityNatasha) April 14, 2023

A daytime high of 22 C and sunny skies are forecasted for Toronto on Saturday. There is currently a 40 per cent chance of showers on Sunday, with a daytime high of 21 C.

The rest of the month is shaping up to be relatively seasonal when it comes to temperatures, which means that while southern Ontario likely won’t be graced by stunning, summer-like double digits, it won’t be terribly cold, either.

The summer-like conditions started earlier this week and ramped up on Wednesday with the temperature soaring to 26 C at Toronto Pearson, breaking the record 25.8 C for April 12, 2001.

Just before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, the temperature at Toronto Pearson soared to 28 C, breaking the record 27.1 C that was set 46 years ago in 1977.