Windsor sees hottest February day on record
The temperature at Windsor airport reached 21.2 C Tuesday; forecast is calling for showers, flash-freeze
The temperature in Windsor reached a record high of 21.2 C on Tuesday afternoon, eclipsing not only the previous record-high for Feb. 27 of 14.2 C, set in 2000, but the previous record for the entire month of February: 20.4 C, set on Feb. 26, 2000.
The record remains unofficial until Wednesday morning, said Steven Flisfeder, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.
"We say 'unofficial record' because all the data has to go through quality control before we can say, 'Yes, we did definitely beat the record,'" Flisfeder explained.
"I don't see a reason why it won't be confirmed."
Tuesday's temperatures mark a huge change from the average temperature for Feb. 27 of just 2.6 C.
Windsorites who were spending time outdoors in Lakewood Park told CBC they were happy to see the summer-like conditions.
"Getting out of the sweater — it feels too good to be true," said Matt Haskell, who was out playing disc golf.
"It's time to start gardening."
Phil Dimitrov said he tries to take advantage of warm weather whenever it happens.
"I'm the type of guy who really hates the cold," he said.
Showers, temperature-drop in the forecast
Richard Zarour said he was enjoying every minute of the sunny day.
"If it was like this every day, I'd be happy every single day," he said.
"I love it."
Chatham-Kent has also set a new unofficial record-high temperature for Feb. 27 of 16.5 C, Flisfeder said, beating the previous record of 13 C.
Temperatures are likely to stay above seasonal averages well into March, he added.
However, Flisfeder noted, Environment Canada is forecasting showers and thunderstorms across much of southern Ontario Tuesday night and Wednesday, followed by a drastic drop in temperatures that could lead to a flash freeze and dangerously icy roads and sidewalks.
"It's important to pay attention to the forecast — not just one number or the other, but everything there within — and important to have a reliable weather source with you at all times to receive any alerts that may be issued," he said.