March 20 marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, and after a long, gray winter, Torontonians can look forward to warmer temperatures and sunnier days soon.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECC), Toronto is expecting milder temperatures and even a bit of sunshine this week.
The sun is expected to appear on Monday as temperatures could rise as much as six degrees.
The coldest day this week, Wednesday, is expected to have a high of five degrees. A high of 11 degrees is forecast for Thursday.
Toronto residents can expect sunshine again this weekend.
Maximum temperatures of six degrees are forecast for Friday and Sunday, the weather is expected to be a mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures remain around six degrees on Saturday, but showers or thunderstorms are possible.
Spring may be here, but Torontonians should still expect winter-like weather — or, as Environment Canada climatologist Dave Phillips called it, “maple syrup weather.”
It’s often said that spring is arriving reluctantly in Canada and this will test us,” Phillips told CP24. “It will come slowly. It’s getting a little warmer every day. But the cold can still come.”
Phillips said Toronto should still get about 10 percent of its annual snowfall, so “don’t put away your snow shovel.”
Ultimately he said it was a waiting game.
“Patience is the key word.”
A WARM WINTER: ECCC
Phillips said Toronto’s winter has been much warmer than normal this year, with the city experiencing just 11 days when the temperature has dipped to -10C or below, compared to the 38 in a more typical year.
But he said March had brought much colder conditions and there was a risk the weather would persist for the rest of the month.
“It’s actually better for us. You don’t want to go from winter to summer because that creates all kinds of pollen and allergies and flooding and mud,” Phillips said.
“Give nature its time.”
Spring officially arrives on Monday at 5:24 p.m.
With files from Chris Fox of CP24.
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