15°C temperature swing this week in Ontario

Residents in Mississauga, Brampton, Halton and Hamilton who are anticipating a winter wonderland will have to keep dreaming of a white Christmas, as the weather forecast for much of southern Ontario on Dec. 25 holds no promise of snow.

Last week, the region experienced substantial rainfall along with a burst of lake-effect snow, with some areas receiving less than 5 centimetres, while bands from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay saw accumulations of up to 20 cm. Wind speeds also intensified as frigid weather set in, bringing a wind chill that dipped as low as -11 C.

By the weekend Environment Canada issued a freezing rain advisory for southern Ontario. “Icy and slippery conditions possible, particularly on untreated surfaces,” the statement said.

This week, there will be above seasonal weather with a 15 C temperature swing, rain, flurries and sunshine.

Starting today —Christmas Eve—it will be mainly cloudy with a daytime high of 6 C. There is a 30 per cent chance of rain and foggy patches later this evening which may even continue overnight.

On Monday, residents will wake up on Christmas morning to rain, and warm temperature above 8 C. It will be fairly cloudy throughout the day and the foggy patches from the night before will also dissipate. Temperatures will drop to a mild 5 C by the evening.

According to the Weather Network, the cloudy weather pattern will continue into Tuesday with periods of rain and a total accumulation of 5 millimetres. Temperatures will hit 8 C where it will stay for most of the day. As the night approaches, temperatures will slightly drop to 6 C, accompanied by sporadic rain.

Meteorologists predict another day of overcast skies on Wednesday, with a 40 per cent chance of rain. The daytime high is expected to reach 8 C for the third day in a row. Rain is likely to return in the evening as temperatures cool to 3 C.

Environment Canada calls for a cloudy and predominantly wet Thursday with a 60 per cent possibility of snow. Temperatures will fall an astonishing 11 degrees to a frigid -5 C by the evening.

Friday brings the cloudy skies once more with a daytime high of -1 C. As the day progresses there is a 40 per cent probability of flurries. Temperatures will go as low as -7 C by the evening —making it the coldest day compared to the entire week.

The day before New Year’s Eve, there appears to be a switch in the gloomy weather. On Saturday (Dec. 30)  it will be cloudy with sunny breaks and a high of -1 C with a 40 per cent chance of snow. Temperatures are also set to drop further towards the evening, reaching a bitter -5 C.