Canada’s brief summer sizzle to end with snow
Several days of summer-like warmth and record heat across Canada will be coming to an end, as another Colorado low brings multiple precipitation types and a major cool down across a large swath of the country.
After several provinces are finally getting a taste of summer-like weather this week, an incoming low will quickly snap the country right back into reality.
A rollercoaster ride of temperatures is forecast, with daytime highs nearing 30°C and bottoming out near the freezing mark only a week later -- a sure reminder of what spring weather truly feels like across Canada.
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The taste of early summer
From Alberta to the Maritimes, the mercury is rising, with many communities in southern parts of the provinces reaching the upper teens and low 20s this week. Daily high temperatures have been broken in at least six provinces, including Nova Scotia, P.E.I, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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Only a week ago we were anxiously anticipating Canada's first 20°C temperature of the year, and this week, several provinces (with the exception of Canada’s extreme coastal provinces) have had many stations reach or even exceed 20°C.
Mid-summer sizzle
The focus of the extreme heat this week continues to be in southern Ontario, where daily high temperatures are reaching the upper 20s for several consecutive days. These daytime highs are more typical to mid July or August.
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While these temperatures may seem out of the ordinary for this time of year—you can blame the most recent cool April's—it's not completely unheard of to have brief surges of summer-like warmth in April. Yes, 30°C temperatures have been recorded previously in April, with the chance for one or two spots to do it again this week!
Snow to quickly follow the spring heat
While these warm temperatures may be welcomed with open arms, people shouldn't get too comfortable. An incoming Colorado low will break the tease of summer and bring a harsh reminder of what April weather in Canada normally features -- fluctuating temperatures, sunshine, rain and even snow.
The system is forecast to spread a swath of accumulating snowfall across southern Saskatchewan and parts of the Prairies late week, followed by daytime highs closer to the freezing mark.
As the low advances into Ontario, a heavy dumping of snow is forecast for far northwestern Ontario, where snow totals could reach or exceed 30-40 cm locally.
Cool rain, and even wet snow will eventually make its way into parts of southern Ontario and southern Quebec for early next week, with a shot of cooler, below seasonal air to follow.
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Be sure to check back for updates on the changing weather conditions in your area.
