‘An all-day rain event’: Soggy start to the weekend as next weather system moves in Saturday

Londoners should keep their raincoats handy as the next weather system is slated to move into the region on Saturday. Reta Ismail explains.

Enjoy the sunshine as much as you can over the next couple of days, as the next weather system is slated to move into the London region this weekend.

According to CTV News London’s Reta Ismail, a high-pressure system is leading to plenty of sunshine across southern Ontario on Thursday with a daytime high of 16 C.

Going into the overnight hours Ismail says there will be increased cloud cover and a low of 4 C.

Mainly sunny skies are in store on Friday with a high of 19 C. If outdoors for an extended period make sure to apply sunscreen or cover up, as the UV index will reach nine.

Ismail says the next weather maker arrives on Friday night, and while Saturday’s high will reach 15 C, make sure you’ve got a raincoat and umbrella handy.

“We’ll wake up mainly sunny Friday, but the clouds quickly start to increase as that system lifts from the south, Ismail said. “You could see it is packing a good amount of moisture, and we’ll tap into that around 5 a.m. as it crosses over Lake Erie and then throughout the day on Saturday. Unfortunately, it will be an all-day rain event with some embedded thunderstorms throughout the afternoon Saturday.”

Ismail says the moisture and cloud cover will linger into Sunday morning, with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high of 21 C.

London’s average daytime high this time of year is 21 C, and Ismail says temperatures will rebound later this weekend going into next week.

“If you are waiting for the return to the warmth, it is heading our way,” she said. “It will push through on Monday through to Thursday; our temperatures between 23 and 26 degrees [Celsius].”

Here’s a look at London’s long-range forecast

Thursday: Mainly sunny. Wind east 20 km/h becoming light this afternoon. High 16. UV index 8 or very high.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy. Clearing near midnight. Low plus 4.

Friday: Sunny. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. Wind becoming east 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. High 19. UV index 9 or very high.

Saturday: Showers. Windy. High 15.

Sunday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. High 21.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers. High 23.

Tuesday: Sunny. High 23.

Wednesday: Sunny. High 26.