Workweek Outlook: Heading towards the polar vortex

Despite the lack of rain and an abundance of sun, a stubborn northwest wind off of the cool waters of Lake Superior will help keep the first half of this work a couple of degrees below normal. That is the good news. The bad news is that the dreaded Polar Vortex is about to slide from the arctic down across Ontario at the end of this week. As a result, Sault Ste. Marie and all of Ontario are about to be plunged into a cold spell that is likely to bring record-breaking cold temperatures and possibly some snow.

Monday will be sunny, but a cold northwest wind hangs on and keeps temperatures at +7°C. Inland locations will likely be a few degrees warmer. A few clouds move in for Tuesday, and the northwest winds weaken just enough to allow temperatures to reach +10°C.

Wednesday will see sunny skies return, but we just can't shake that northwest wind that will increase and keep daytime highs near +10°C again. The really cold air and the first risk of snow arrives on Thursday with temperatures around +6°C and bitter northerly winds near 30 km/h.

Friday and the start of the weekend will struggle to break the freezing mark, and there is a risk of a little snow that could accumulate both days. The normal daytime high for the second weekend of May is usually just over 15°C - so we will likely be 10-15 degrees below normal.

When does this historic cold outbreak end? It could hang on until the middle of May.