THUNDER BAY — A blast of warm air from the U.S. led to a new high temperature mark in Thunder Bay on Tuesday.
Environment Canada said the previous record for Nov. 14, set in 1994 at 12.9 C, was broken by 3 p.m. when Thunder Bay Airport recorded a temperature of 13.2 C.
"The reason we're seeing this is that we've got this strong influx of air from the south that's just piling up in Thunder Bay and allowing for really warm temperatures there," said meteorologist Trudy Kidd.
The city was in a race Tuesday afternoon with Fort Frances and other communities in the Rainy River district for the title of the warmest place in Canada on this date.
The old record at Thunder Bay Airport was 12.9 C.
On average, Thunder Bay reaches a maximum temperature of just 2.1 C on Nov. 14.
The new record — more than 11 degrees higher than normal — far exceeded the expectations of forecasters, as Environment Canada had predicted a peak of just 9 C for Tuesday.
Unseasonably mild weather is expected to continue over the city on Wednesday and Thursday.
Kidd suggested local residents take advantage of the opportunity to finish any remaining outdoor chores or get their tires changed, as temperatures are expected to return to seasonal values by late Thursday when the wind shifts to a northerly or northwesterly direction.
There's a chance of snow Thursday night and on Friday.
