On the lead-up to Thanksgiving last year, Maria Sarmiento found Port Stanley beach too cold due to the brisk October winds from Lake Erie. However, this year was a stark contrast. Sarmiento and her family visited the beach in swimsuits on Friday, enjoying the uncharacteristically warm weather with temperatures soaring into the high 20s, which is more than 10 degrees above the typical seasonal norms.
The warm fall weather, driven by a high-pressure system over the U.S. eastern seaboard, created a summer-like atmosphere at the beach. Environment Canada meteorologist Trudy Kidd mentioned that the clear skies allowed the sun to intensify the heat, making it feel more like mid-summer than early fall. While the temperatures were unusually high, they were not record-breaking for this time of year.
Visitors flocked to the beach, basking in the sun without the need for heavy clothing. Pauline Cormier, Melissa Sparling, and Rachelle Howie even took a day off work to enjoy the sunshine together. The warm weather also proved beneficial for local businesses like Shaw’s Ice Cream and DeBackere Farm Market, attracting more customers due to the extended summer-like conditions.
Despite the temporary heatwave, temperatures are expected to cool down by the middle of the week, returning to normal levels. However, Monday’s forecast still predicts high temperatures in the high 20s, maintaining the unseasonably warm trend a bit longer.