May's return to sweater weather expected to linger for the rest of the month

CBC

23-05-2025

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This week's cold temperatures and wet weather are a "stark contrast" from the hot and humid weather of the week before but overall May has been "normal."
So far.
That could change, though, says Trudy Kidd, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. Kidd says if temperatures remain where they are, May could end up being colder than normal.
"Typically we see at this time of year high temperatures around 21 C and we're 10 C below that for our highs. So our daytime highs are more like what we experience as our overnight lows. And so that contrast has really got people talking," Kidd said.
"We do creep back toward normal on Monday, but then we go back to cooler than normal and if anyone's hoping for above seasonal temperatures, it looks like we could be seeing that maybe the first week of June."
When it comes to rain, May is "right on track" with other years, she said.
"Typically in May we see 80.2 mm of rain, that's for the whole month, and the Region of Waterloo International Airport is currently sitting at 62.8 mm," Kidd said.
For people who have been thinking about gardening, Perry Grobe of Grobe Nursery and Graden Centre in Breslau said people may want to hold off on planting certain items.
"The ground itself is probably still a little bit on the cold side, and that would be the most sensitive of your vegetables perhaps like zucchinis, cucumbers, perhaps peppers, tomatoes. They'll grow if the weather stays nice, but if the ground temperature is cold, they really don't do as well," he said.
He said he holds off on planting vegetables until June, but he understands people are anxious to get their plants in the ground so he has a suggestion for that.
"There's a cheat," he said. "Just put some garbage bags out in the garden that are black or some black landscape fabric for a few days ahead of time and it'll help to heat up the ground with the sun."
Warmer-than-normal June
People who don't love the cold and wet weather of May will be happy to hear June is expected to warm up, Kidd said.
"The days get longer, the sun gets stronger and the trend will be towards warmer temperatures," she said.
But, that said, Kidd recommends people be "prepared for anything."
"People aren't thinking about the next heat event, for example, but now is a great time to check that air conditioner, make sure it's working," she said.
If you don't have an air conditioner, make sure you have fans ready to go for when temperatures rise and be prepared for possible power outages with a 72-hour survival kit.
Weekend forecast
The Environment Canada forecast for Kitchener-Waterloo shows:
Friday, rain ending in the afternoon, high 11 C.
Saturday, cloudy with a high of 13 C.
Sunday, mix of sun and cloud with a high of 15 C.
Monday, a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 18 C.