Rainfall in Chatham-Kent on July 19, 2020 (Photo by Matt Weverink)Rainfall in Chatham-Kent on July 19, 2020 (Photo by Matt Weverink)
Sarnia

After the deep freeze, warm air and rain on the way

Mother Nature is throwing Southwestern Ontario another curve ball, but this time you might be tempted to abandon your winter coat and wear a sweater instead.

Environment Canada predicts another major weather system to enter the region. We won't get more snow. Instead, we can expect rain and temperatures in the double digits for at least a few days before the air mass from the Gulf of Mexico moves away.

"It's bringing a lot of that gulf moisture, and with gulf moisture, there's also warmth from way south," said Meteorologist Gerald Cheng. "That's why we're seeing double digits in the forecast."

Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia-Lambton can expect a high of 11 C on Friday. London and Middlesex County could see a high around 10 C and 8 C in Wingham.

"When we get to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, it is going to be unsettled, but the bulk of the rain is going to come on Friday into Saturday," said Cheng. "We could be looking at 10 to 20 mm of rain."

As of Wednesday, the forecast for Tuesday calls for a high of 11 C or 12 C.

Cheng said the higher temperatures are far above normal. Typically, the region sees a daytime high of -1 C at this time of year. However, it is not unheard of.

"We do see big fluctuations in the wintertime with these big systems," he explained.

However, it won't last. By the middle of next week, the temperature will fall to more seasonal values.

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