Relief from cold to come next week for Windsor-Essex

Sure, it’s going to be another cold weekend — but relief is in sight for Windsor-Essex, says The Weather Network.

According to meteorologist Elena Lappo, by this time next week, our region should be enjoying temperatures above the freezing mark.

The forecast calls for thermometer readings to begin rising on Tuesday, reaching a high of 5 C by next Friday.

“As we get closer to those days, the forecast could change — and it’s possible we could even see slightly higher temperatures,” Lappo said.

Elena Lappo of The Weather Network.

The reason for the relief, Lappo explained, is a change in the jet stream — a fast-moving air current.

For the past month, the jet stream has been dipping over southwestern Ontario, and cold air from the Arctic has been reigning above.

“By the beginning of next week, this jet stream will have more of a zonal pattern … allowing for the warmer weather from the south to come our way,” Lappo said.

The higher temperatures should last about a week.

But Lappo warned that the jet stream will continue to change, bringing cool-downs and warm-ups as it meanders.

“Just because we’re transitioning doesn’t mean we’re completely out of this cold, Arctic air,” Lappo said. “We still have a good chance of seeing cold temperatures (prior to spring), but they’re more likely to come in shorter durations.”

And before we can bask, Windsor-Essex will have to endure more winter: Lappo said a storm system is due to arrive here Monday (Family Day), bringing with it as much as 10 centimetres of snow.

“Once that system passes, that’s when the jet stream will really start ridging over our area, allowing the temperatures to warm up,” Lappo said.