What to know
- Warmer temperatures are moving into the GTA, with daytime highs climbing well above freezing, reducing the likelihood of a white Christmas.
- The Weather Network says shifting storm tracks north of the Great Lakes are pushing mild air into southern Ontario.
- While temperatures may dip slightly closer to Christmas, highs are expected to remain mostly above freezing.
- Flurries are still possible, but widespread snowfall on Christmas Day appears unlikely.
As temperatures begin to warm up in the GTA, the chances of a white Christmas are looking increasingly unlikely, according to The Weather Network.
Nearly a week after the region was hit by back-to-back snowstorms and plummeting temperatures, much of southern Ontario, including the GTA, is about to experience its warmest days of the month.
On Thursday, Toronto’s daytime high is expected to reach 7 C, while areas such as Hamilton could see highs nearing 10 C by the afternoon.
Although temperatures are expected to dip this weekend, daytime highs may still remain above the freezing mark, with temperatures around 1 C in Toronto on both Friday and Saturday.
According to a report from The Weather Network, this warming trend and thaw are being driven by storm tracks moving north of the Great Lakes, which are pushing warmer air farther north.
The network adds that storm tracks shifting north are currently underway, as Alberta Clippers move north of the lakes this week.
With Christmas just a week away, many are wondering whether they’ll wake up to snowfall and a “white Christmas.” Unfortunately for those hoping for snow, The Weather Network says these weather patterns are reducing the likelihood of one in Toronto.
The network says this trend is expected to continue through the rest of the month, and areas such as Toronto and the Highway 401 corridor from Windsor to Cornwall may have to wait until next year for a white Christmas.
As for temperatures on Christmas Day, the network is predicting daytime highs near -6 C, with wind chills making it feel like -9 C.
Although the chances of a white Christmas appear slim, precipitation remains in the forecast, with flurries expected over the weekend and into early next week.
