Durham Region residents are facing another unsettled day Tuesday, with clouds, a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast while planned highway work could affect travel across several major routes.
The latest Durham weather Sept. 1 forecast calls for a daytime high near 27 C across much of southern Durham Region.
Environment Canada says cloudy skies are expected to gradually give way to a mix of sun and cloud during the afternoon, although there is a 30 per cent chance of showers later in the day.
There is also a risk of a thunderstorm.
Humid conditions continue Tuesday
Temperatures will feel warmer than the actual daytime high because of humidity.
The humidex is expected to reach approximately 35, while the UV index is forecast at 7, or high.
Fog was also reported around Oshawa Tuesday morning, reducing visibility in some areas before conditions began improving.
Residents travelling early in the day should remain cautious where patches of fog linger.
Conditions can vary across Durham, particularly between communities along Lake Ontario and northern municipalities such as Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge.
Showers possible again Tuesday night
The latest forecast has changed slightly from earlier Tuesday information.
Environment Canada now expects mainly cloudy conditions Tuesday night with a 40 per cent chance of showers.
There is also a risk of a thunderstorm, with temperatures falling to around 18 C.
Earlier forecasts had indicated a higher overnight precipitation probability, so residents should continue checking updated conditions as the day progresses.
Wednesday is expected to remain unsettled.
Environment Canada currently forecasts cloudy skies with a 60 per cent chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms, along with a high near 27 C and humidex around 34.
Highway work could affect Durham drivers
Drivers should also prepare for scheduled roadwork and traffic restrictions across several provincial highways serving Durham Region.
Ontario 511 information referenced in Tuesday’s regional traffic update identifies work affecting Highway 12, Highway 35, Highway 35/115, Highway 401, Highway 48, Highway 7, Highway 7/12 and Highway 7A.
Those routes cover communities across both southern and northern Durham.
Highway 401 work can affect drivers travelling through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington, while Highway 7 and Highway 7/12 are important east-west routes through Whitby and northern Durham.
Highways 12 and 48 serve northern communities, while Highway 35/115 is a major route through Clarington.
Not every listed highway is fully closed
Motorists should not assume that every highway named in the roadwork report is completely closed.
Ontario 511 distinguishes between full closures, lane restrictions and other construction-related impacts.
Some work may involve only one or more lanes, nighttime restrictions or short sections of highway.
Drivers should check Ontario 511 immediately before travelling for current locations, affected lanes and start and end times.
More unsettled weather Wednesday
The Durham weather Sept. 1 pattern is expected to remain changeable into Wednesday before conditions begin gradually improving later in the week.
Thursday currently calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high near 26 C.
Friday is expected to bring a mix of sun and cloud and a high near 25 C.
For Tuesday, Durham residents should be prepared for changing weather conditions, possible thunderstorms and delays around ongoing highway construction.
