Orillia residents can expect a sunny, mild day on March 25, with a high of 18 C — but forecasters say clouds and the chance of rain are on the way as the week wears on.
According to the OrilliaMatters weather forecast, clear skies tonight will become partly cloudy after midnight, with a northwest wind at 30 km/h easing to light early in the evening. The overnight low is expected to sit at plus 3.
Sunny start to the day
Wednesday brings sunshine and a high of 18 C, with winds becoming southeast at 20 km/h late in the morning. The UV index is rated 4, or moderate — a reminder that early-spring sun is starting to carry some sting, and sunscreen is worth reaching for on longer stretches outdoors.
The warm spell doesn't last long. Cloud is expected to increase near midnight, with a southeast wind at 20 km/h becoming light as the night goes on. The overnight low will be a milder 12 C.
Rain chances build through the week
From there, the forecast turns grey. The next day is expected to be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of rain and a high of 19 C, followed by increasingly unsettled conditions.
Cloudy skies with a 40 per cent chance of showers are in the forecast for the following nights and days, with overnight lows dropping from 11 C to 7 C as the system settles in. The daytime high slips to 14 C by the end of the stretch.
In other words, the pick of the week is midweek: anyone hoping to get outside for a walk along the waterfront, a round at a local course, or spring yard work would be smart to take advantage of the sunny, 18 C conditions before the clouds move in.
The temperature swing is notable for late March in Simcoe County, where daytime highs this time of year often hover in the single digits. A string of days in the high teens — even with rain in the mix — points to a genuine turn toward spring.
Motorists and commuters should keep an eye on conditions as the shower chances arrive, and residents can track approaching weather in real time through radar and satellite imagery maintained by Environment Canada.
