Foggy start to final weekend in May

A southeast wind flowing off the Great Lakes is creating a foggy start to the last May weekend in Toronto.

“This time of the year, the lakes are very chilly,” says Mark Paquette, a meteorologist at ACCU Weather.

“That helps cool down the lower layers of the atmosphere.”

Higher above, there is a warm air mass that is trying to move southwest to northeast across the city, Paquette explains.

When those two air masses collide, clouds form, producing drizzle and fog.

The fog is expected to clear later in the morning but the skies will continue to be cloudy.

Paquette says when the wind keeps flowing southeast, it makes it hard for the fog and clouds to dissipate.

But the sun this time of the year is strong, which works to “eat away” at the clouds.

“You will have some breaks in the overcast, but I’m not sure if it’ll get completely clear,” he said.

Environment Canada predicts a 40 per cent chance of rain midday with a daytime high of 21 C, unless you’re strolling by Lake Ontario, which has a high near 14 C. '

Nightfall brings more overcast weather, with a low temperature of 14 C and a 60 per cent chance of rain.

A southwest wind clocking in at about 20 kilometres per hour should die down in the evening.

Sunday will bring similar weather, with a 60 per cent chance of showers early in the morning, followed by more rain in the evening with the possibility of a thunderstorm.

Like Saturday, the daytime high should hit 21 C. However, as climatologist Dave Phillips predicted Friday, sunshine should emerge as the workweek begins.

After an overcast Monday, Tuesday will likely have a mix of sun and cloud with a summery high of 30 C.

Amanda Kwan and Aleysha Haniff, Staff Reporters