Spooky Skies Ahead! Southern Ontario Could See Warmest Halloween on Record; Up to 10-15cm of Snow Could Haunt Northern Ontario
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Excitement is brewing as Halloween night approaches, and the streets are set to fill with little ghosts, goblins, and creatures of the night. However, it seems Mother Nature may have skipped the “or” in Trick-or-Treat this year. While Southern Ontario is in for an unusually warm treat, there’s also a wintry “trick” in the forecast, as the first messy winter system of the season stirs up across the northern portion of the province.
Before we dive into the chilly details, let’s savor the treat: a Halloween night warmer than most! Unlike Halloweens past, where bone-chilling temperatures hovered near or below freezing, this year brings weather that feels more like late summer or early fall. Temperatures across Southern Ontario will keep that warm spell lingering, with some areas possibly experiencing record-breaking highs for Halloween.
In years past, Canadian trick-or-treaters have bundled up with extra layers under their costumes to ward off the cold. This Halloween, they may find themselves shedding layers, with temperatures expected to reach the upper teens and even low 20s in some spots.
Prime trick-or-treating time around 8 PM will bring readings of 16-20°C across much of Southern Ontario, with slightly cooler temperatures between 14-16°C around Algonquin Park and the Bruce Peninsula. Daytime highs earlier in the day may reach the low or even mid-20s, with some areas potentially setting new temperature records.
However, Halloween night won’t stay warm for long. A cold front will sweep through late in the evening, quickly dropping temperatures as it ushers in much colder air overnight. Those celebrating late into the witching hour should brace themselves for temperatures plunging into the single digits by early Friday morning.
Northern Ontario’s Ghostly Chill
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While Southern Ontario basks in warmer weather, the tale turns a bit chillier in Northern Ontario. Southern portions of Northeastern Ontario, including Elliot Lake, Sudbury, and North Bay, will enjoy temperatures between 12-16°C during Halloween evening. But for Central Northeastern communities like Chapleau, Temiskaming Shores, and Kirkland Lake, temperatures will drop to single digits, adding an extra shiver to the festivities.
Northwestern and Far Northern Ontario will already be feeling the effects of the cold front by trick-or-treat time, with temperatures hovering near or just below the freezing mark. In these areas, those venturing out for Halloween night will definitely need to incorporate extra layers into their costumes.
So, Where’s the Trick?
PRECIPITATION TYPE FOR Halloween EVENING - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL
You may be wondering, with all this warm weather, where’s the trick in this Halloween forecast? The trick this year will be what’s coming down from the sky. Scattered rain showers are set to creep into Southern Ontario starting Thursday afternoon, with the heaviest rainfall likely in parts of Northeastern Ontario and along the western areas of Southern Ontario.
In fact, there could even be isolated thunderstorms around Georgian Bay. So if you’re out collecting candy, keep an eye on the skies, and take cover if you see lightning or hear thunder. Trick-or-treaters in Eastern Ontario, on the other hand, might just escape the rain until later in the evening.
Fortunately, rainfall amounts across Southern Ontario are expected to stay light, with 5-15 mm in areas seeing the heaviest showers. Thunderstorm activity could increase these totals in very localized spots, but nothing overly dramatic.
The heaviest rain will be concentrated in Northeastern Ontario, stretching from Sault Ste. Marie through Sudbury and up to North Bay. Some of these areas are currently under a rainfall warning from Environment Canada, with up to 60 mm of rain possible from Wednesday night through Friday morning.
A Halloween Surprise: Snow in Northern Ontario!
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And now, for the big Halloween scare! As rain moves across Ontario, colder air in the north will bring a chilling twist, transforming rain into snow by Thursday afternoon in some areas. The spooky snowfall is set to begin from Wawa up through Kapuskasing, with heavy snow expected to continue through the overnight hours into Friday morning.
For those areas in the “snow zone,” accumulation could be significant. A corridor stretching from Wawa to Kapuskasing may see up to 10-15 cm of snow by Friday morning, though actual amounts may vary based on temperatures near the freezing mark, which can affect how well snow sticks to the ground.
Surrounding areas, including Wawa, Kapuskasing, Timmins, and Cochrane, could see 5-10 cm of snow accumulation. However, warmer ground temperatures may mean that some snow melts on contact, reducing the totals.
Northeastern Ontario, north of a line from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury, may also pick up a dusting to a few centimetres of snow Thursday night into Friday, with up to 5 cm possible. Thunder Bay could even see a few flurries, though no accumulation is expected there.
So, Ontario, prepare for a Halloween that’s part treat, with warm weather for many, and part trick, with rain and snow making an appearance in others. However, you plan to celebrate, have a safe and spooky Halloween night!
