Residents in the GTA and much of southern Ontario can look forward to a reprieve from colder temperatures for the next two days or so but with a catch: rain.
Temperatures in much of southern Ontario are set to climb Sunday.
In Toronto, a high of 9 C is expected, with a 60 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. Similar temperatures are expected in Peel, York and Durham regions and other parts of the province.
The warmer temperatures round off a week that saw thermometers dip down to January-like levels, with temperatures in the city feeling like -19 C with the wind chill Tuesday. The city also saw its first snowfall accumulation of the season.
The frigid weather sent people scurrying for warmer jackets, boots and snow tires and even drove a noted snow monster to take the TTC.
But while the temperatures might be more bearable Sunday, they come with more precipitation.
“A rapidly intensifying disturbance brewing in Kansas is setting its sights on Ontario,” Environment Canada said in a special weather statement Sunday. “It will track towards Lake Michigan tonight and cross northeastern Ontario on Monday.”
The agency said rain will arrive in southwestern Ontario Sunday night and rapidly spread to all other regions.
Local rainfall amounts of 15 to 30 millimetres are expected before the rain tapers off to showers Monday.
That rain could mean a risk of flooding for areas of the province that have already seen significant snowfall, Environment Canada said.
Strong winds of around 50 kilometres per hour are also expected across the province on Monday, with wind gusts of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour possible in some areas.
Winds of that strength could bring down trees or branches, causing power outages.
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