Eastern Canada cities have shot at warmest September overnight lows
While Alberta residents are dealing with chilly, frosty wake-up calls in the mornings this week, many in the East are on the opposite end of the temperature spectrum for overnight lows this month.
SEE ALSO: Cold, frosty mornings see out summer in Alberta
With the end of summer and beginning of fall happening in September, it is very much a transitional month as we change seasons, so it's not uncommon to have averages tip toward the warm side.
Several cities in the East, from Montreal, Que., to Gander, N.L., have seen numerous, warm overnight lows so far this month. The averages could end up becoming the warmest on record. While we still have over a week to go, we would need a substantial cooldown since some cities are two to four degrees above average so far.
"This means we'll likely see some, if not most, of these cities achieving this record," said Rachel Modestino, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
Cities that could see record-warm overnight lows for September
Montreal, Que.: Current: 15.63°C. To beat: 13.45°C (2015).
Gaspé, Que.: Current: 11.58°C. To beat: 10.57°C (1934).
Mont-Joli Regional Airport, Que.: Current: 12.38°C. To beat: 10.29°C (2015).
Sept-Îles, Que.: Current: 9.77°C. To beat: 8.69°C (1999).
Miramichi, N.B.: Current: 13.87°C. To beat: 10.82°C (2015 and 1999).
Fredericton, N.B.: Current: 12.91°C. To beat: 10.62°C (1999).
Moncton, N.B.: Current: 13.67°C. To beat: 11.53°C (1999).
Halifax, N.S.: Current: 15.31°C. To beat: 13.73°C (1999).
Of note is that Halifax has only dropped down into the single digits once this month.
Sydney, N.S.: Current: 15.17°C. To beat: 13.24°C (1999).
Summerside, P.E.I. Current: 15.16°C. To beat: 12.85°C (1961).
Gander, N.L.: Current: 11.83°C. To beat: 10.06°C (2012).
Burgeo, N.L.: Current: 14.99°C. To beat: 11.93°C (1999).
St John's, N.L.: Current: 12.59°C. To beat: 11.38°C (1937).
Factors that keep overnight lows warm
Factors that could contribute to the record-average lows are the warm waters and influences of tropical moisture this month. However, now that Franklin and Lee have passed, much cooler waters have been left in their wakes.
As well, a change in wind direction will bring back single digits to eastern Quebec and Atlantic Canada Thursday morning.
While that may lower some of these warm, nightly averages, it’s likely not enough to drop these lows below their record-holding counterparts for every region. We would need more consistent cold, Modestino added.
WATCH:
Check in with our Fall Forecast Friday to see what pattern is expected in Eastern Canada.
Edited by and with files from Nathan Howes, a digital journalist at The Weather Network. Also with files from Rachel Modestino, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.