Sarnia, Ontario is kicking off the week with mainly sunny skies and a high of 27°C on Monday, but residents should prepare for a sharp change as a cold front moves in, bringing a risk of thunderstorms and gusty winds by Tuesday.
According to Environment Canada, Monday will be mainly sunny, with a humidex of 32 and a very high UV index of 9. Winds will pick up from the south at 30 km/h late this afternoon. The high UV reading means sunburns can happen quickly, so staying in the shade and wearing sunscreen is a must.
Conditions begin to change overnight, with a risk of thunderstorms and south winds at 30 km/h. That risk continues into Tuesday, with southwest winds gusting to 40 km/h in the morning, shifting to the northwest and gusting up to 50 km/h in the afternoon. The Weather Network is calling for a risk of strong thunderstorms, with an 80 per cent chance of rain and 1 to 3 millimetres of precipitation in the morning, and 5 to 10 millimetres possible in the afternoon.
With the threat of strong winds and storms, officials recommend securing loose outdoor items like patio furniture and garbage bins ahead of time. Using surge protectors for electronics can also help prevent damage if lightning strikes.
The unsettled pattern won’t last long. Wednesday, July 22 will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of showers, but by Thursday skies are expected to clear with sunshine and a high of 24°C, climbing back to 27°C by Friday.
