Windsor-Essex almost had its warmest Boxing Day on record.
The temperature outside seemed to rival the temperature felt inside by the crowds at local shopping centres Monday. Environment Canada said that the high temperature reached 13.1 C around 4pm, according to the measurement at Windsor Airport. This translates to 55.6 F. The record for December 26 remains 13.4 C, or 56.1 F, experienced in 1940.
Forecasters at Environment Canada say the unseasonably mild weather was caused by a Colorado low moving over the region. Previous Colorado lows this season have resulted in significant snowfall in southwestern Ontario. While Windsor-Essex did not get snow on the day after Christmas, some freezing rain was reported Monday morning. Other areas of southwestern Ontario experienced fog.
The respite from winter will be short-lived though. Environment Canada calls for temperatures on Tuesday to be more seasonable, with a high of -2 C under overcast skies.