Sunday 30 May 2021

Lack of rainfall in Ontario's forecast exacerbates its drought

Digital Writers, The Weather Network


Sunday, May 30th 2021, 7:31 am - Friday's precipitation was most welcomed in southern Ontario, but it fell well short of overcoming the current drought conditions.

After Friday's rude wintry surprise for southern Ontario Friday, which included some showers, Saturday was considerably drier, and Sunday, too, looks to follow suit with lots of sunshine.

But much of southern Ontario has had a drier than average spring and, though Friday's rainfall provided some relief to the drought-stricken region, it wasn't enough to overcome that precipitation deficit, and there's little prospect of consistent moisture over the coming days.

DESPERATE NEED FOR RAIN, SOME EXPERIENCING SEVERE DROUGHT

In addition to the recent heat and humidity, the month of May has featured a severe lack of rain.

Other than some quick bursts in May, which accompanied isolated thunderstorms, rainfall totals across southern Ontario have been well below seasonal throughout the spring season, with many places reporting near-record dry conditions during May.

Most of southern Ontario is currently experiencing a moderate drought, with pockets of severe drought in the southwestern section. Areas to the east and in cottage country are currently abnormally dry.

In fact, prior to Friday's showers, a good chunk of southwestern Ontario has seen less than 40 per cent of its average precipitation in the last 30 days. Elsewhere across the south, much of the region has only received 40-60+ per cent of its normal during the same time period.

And even though parts of the southwest received some 10-20 mm, it wasn't nearly enough to eliminate the ever-increasing drought in the province.


As well, Ottawa has seen its driest May on record, and Friday's rainfall is likely to help Toronto, Windsor and London avoid the cities achieving that feat.

However, Toronto did see its fifth warmest day (Tuesday, May 25) on record, registering a daytime high of 33.3°C.

LOOK AHEAD: DRY TREND CONTINUES, TEMPERATURES TO WARM UP LATE WEEKEND

Sunday will be mainly sunny and slightly warmer than Saturday, as temperatures climb back to near seasonal for early next week. The dry conditions will continue, accompanied by warmer, near or slightly above seasonal temperatures for the middle of and late next week.

Forecasters are watching the potential for the pattern to become more unsettled during the second half of next week and into the second week of June.

Temperature-wise, a warm pattern is anticipated next weekend and for the second week of June -- with numerous days reaching the mid-to-upper 20s across the region. Daytime highs won't be excessively hot, but will still sit above seasonal for June.


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