Although winter is not even one third of the way through, it felt like the onset of spring over the weekend as Windsor’s balmy temperatures broke records.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ria Alsen said while the normal high temperature for Windsor at this time of year is -2 C, Friday’s high was 14.0 C and as of Saturday afternoon, the high was 13.3 C and continuing to climb.
“So we’re more than 10 degrees above normal, which is very significant,” said Alsen. “That’s a lot to be above normal. It’s pretty impressive.”
Windsor was the warmest place in Ontario Friday, with its high of 14.0 C breaking the city’s 2005 record of 12.8 C for that day in January.
Alsen said while Windsor was up to 13.3 C Saturday afternoon – breaking the 1975 record of 12.0 C – she expected the temperature to continue to rise later in the day.
Helen Kersey enjoys the record-breaking warm temperatures with her dog, Jake, along the Ganatchio Trail on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (REBECCA WRIGHT/ The Windsor Star)
Out for a comfortable cruise on her tricycle, Helen Kersey was taking advantage of the mild weather with her dog, Jake, along the Ganatchio Trail Saturday.
“I love it. It’s great,” said Kersey, who required only a light fleece rather than her usual thick parka for walking Jake. She said the warm weather made their daily outdoor stroll more enjoyable.
“It’s just lovely out here,” said Kersey, adding she was surprised to discover that they had already been out for over two hours.
Rick Anger and his son Jacob were fishing at Lakeview Park Marina Saturday. He said usually in the wintertime, they’re bundled up indoors watching people cast lines on TV, wishing they were the ones fishing.
“Usually there’s ice on the water but not in this type of weather,” said Anger, who had dug up their fishing rods out of storage – which were tucked away for the winter – to take advantage of the spring-like climate. “I love it.”
But while many throughout the city viewed the change in weather as a pleasant break from chilly below zero temperatures – with people washing their cars, playing sports in shorts and barbecuing as they soaked in the sunlight – Constantine Bach said it just didn’t feel right for the middle of January.
Ali Aouede, 13, tries to block Moe Abbani, 14, left, as a large group of neighbourhood kids take advantage of the warm record-breaking temperatures to play some hoops at Alton C. Parker Park, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
“It’s a washout,” he said, pointing to the puddles and muddied green grass bordering the Ganatchio Trail where he took a walk Saturday.
“I prefer it to be cold with lots of snow. I miss the snow,” said Bach, adding he’s hoping the next couple of months will be a much whiter winter.
Alsen said it’s typical to have a few days of warm weather in January each year, but temperatures don’t usually get as high as what Windsor is experiencing this year.
“We’re warmer than other years because we’re breaking records, but to have a warm spell and melt, it’s the typical January thaw,” said Alsen. “Most years have at least one.”
She added that Windsor has a unique climate because of its southwestern location, as well as the fact that it is surrounded by water. Being so far south means Windsor is more likely to experience the effects of warm fronts from the U.S., said Alsen, and the Great Lakes that surround the city makes Windsor automatically warmer than other areas in Ontario.
The driving range at Tecumseh Golf was packed with golfers working on their swings.
“I’m an avid golfer so this is a nice opportunity to come out and hit the ball rather than golfing at a screen with indoor golfing,” said Greg Hasen. He said after golfing, he planned take down the Christmas lights on his house and enjoy being able to do it in short sleeves.
“I enjoy winter and I like outdoor sports, like skiing, but I don’t mind not having to shovel my driveway,” said Hasen with a laugh.
As for the high temps breaking records in Windsor, Hasen said “It’s interesting, but we’ll pay for it I’m sure.”
Maddox Wilson, 2, looks up at a squirrel in a tree at Willistead Park on a warm, record-breaking Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 afternoon with his mother, Sabina Leszczynski, (not pictured). (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Maddox Wilson, 2, enjoys the swing at Willistead Park on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. Maddox and his mother, Sabina Leszczynski, were enjoying the record-breaking temperatures. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Mike Hensman takes advantage of the record-breaking temperatures to get his SUV washed, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
A large group of neighbourhood kids take advantage of the record-breaking temperatures to play some hoops at Alton C. Parker Park, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Jung Cho takes advantage of the warm record-breaking temperatures to hit some golf balls at Tecumseh Golf, Saturday, January 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
A large group of neighbourhood kids take advantage of the record-breaking temperatures to play some hoops at Alton C. Parker Park, Saturday, January 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Jung Cho takes advantage of the record-breaking temperatures to hit some golf balls at Tecumseh Golf, Saturday, January 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Golfers take advantage of the record-breaking temperature to hit some golf balls at Tecumseh Golf, Saturday, January 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Meg Benedet, 21, sports a short sleeve golf shirt as record-breaking temperatures brought her and her friends out to hit some golf balls at Tecumseh Golf, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
Golfers take advantage of the warm record-breaking temperature to hit some golf balls at Tecumseh Golf, Saturday, January 12, 2013. (DAX MELMER / The Windsor Star)
