Rare February Severe Thunderstorm Risk for Parts of Southern Ontario on Tuesday
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As we bid farewell to February, Southern Ontario is set for a wild weather ride, with a rapid-fire succession of seasons in the span of just a few days. This climatic roller coaster is set to take off on Tuesday, bringing an influx of temperatures that are notably higher than what we're used to this time of year. Alongside the warmth, we brace for another hallmark of spring: the threat of thunderstorms.
Looking ahead, we have two distinct thunderstorm risks within a 48-hour window. The early birds in Southern Ontario might be in for a surprise with the first bout of storms expected during Tuesday's morning hours. Coming later in the day, there's the potential for more storm activity that could approach severe levels in the late afternoon and evening.
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As dawn breaks on Tuesday, we expect to see scattered showers and thunderstorms bubble up during the mid to late morning in Southwestern Ontario. Given the environment and minimal energy, these initial storms aren't likely to reach severe thresholds, but they may still pack a punch with lightning, potential for small hail, and strong wind gusts.
These storms will continue to track to the northeast toward Central Ontario and around Georgian Bay, lasting through the morning and into the early afternoon. Throughout the day, a surge of warm air from the southwest will see temperatures soaring into double digits across Southern Ontario.
While everyone across Southern Ontario will feel the heat on Tuesday, the highest temperatures will be found in Deep Southwestern Ontario, affecting locations like Windsor, Chatham, and Sarnia. The extent of this warm spell varies across the different weather models, but don't be shocked if Windsor sees its first 20°C day of the year on Tuesday!
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Progressing into the late afternoon, the escalating heat is likely to stir up atmospheric instability, setting the stage for thunderstorms starting late Tuesday afternoon. These storms are forecasted to pop up to our west, over Michigan and neighbouring states, where a robust environment for severe storms could take shape. However, this forecast remains up in the air, with some of the latest models suggesting storm development could be pushed back to the evening or even overnight which would lead to a lower severe threat.
If storms do materialize, we can't dismiss the possibility of an isolated severe storm tracking into Deep Southwestern Ontario. The primary hazards would be large hailstones, possibly as big as quarters, wind gusts reaching 90 km/h, and heavy downpours. While the tornado risk is not entirely absent, it's expected to remain primarily a concern on the American side of the border.
Another consideration is the lake temperatures this early in the season. While this winter hasn’t been cold by any measure, the lakes are still fairly cold compared to what we would see in the late spring or summer. Colder lakes have a tendency to drain storms of their energy as they cross over the lake and into our region. However, the stretch between Sarnia and Windsor is less shielded by the lakes, leaving it more vulnerable to severe storms crossing the border with little hindrance.
Storms are expected to persist across Southern Ontario into the overnight hours, leading into Wednesday morning. There is a questionable isolated severe risk for the Lake Erie shoreline and into the Niagara region just after midnight that is being picked up by some models.
Apart from thunderstorms, Tuesday night is shaping up to be unusually mild, rolling into Wednesday morning with temperatures climbing overnight to remain in the double digits for much of Southern Ontario.
But don't be deceived by the unseasonably warm start to your Wednesday. A stark cold front is scheduled to slice through Southern Ontario from the northwest to the southeast beginning late Wednesday morning. This will result in a drastic drop in the temperature from the mid-teens to sub-zero levels in a matter of hours.
The potential for a flash freeze is particularly concerning, especially considering the preceding rain from the storms. Roads are expected to swiftly transition to treacherous sheets of black ice, complicating Wednesday afternoon's commute.
Stay tuned for more comprehensive details on the flash freeze threat, along with an update on the potential for snow as we move into late Wednesday and Thursday.
