Temperatures set to plunge overnight, with severe thunderstorms possible in parts of the region

CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison has the latest forecast update as a cold front slumps through the region.

A front that’s shuffling through southern Ontario has prompted showers and thunderstorms in parts of the region as temperatures dramatically shift.

The rainy cloud cover is expected to hang over much of the region tonight.

“Skies will still be cloudy, but we’ll break that cloud cover up heading into Friday morning,” predicted CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison. “The chance for showers drops as we head past midnight.”

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Chatham-Kent and Western Elgin County, with quarter sized hail possible and up to 30 millimeters of rainfall.

Temperatures on Friday morning are expected to be brisk, with flurries possible into Saturday morning.

The temperature tonight will stand in stark contrast to the balmy day experienced across much of the region, “overnight lows tonight, we drop down between -3 along the lakeshore to minus 10 to minus 11 towards Kitchener-Waterloo,” said Atchison.

Despite the frigid temperatures, skies are expected to be clear and sunny for most of the weekend.

Here’s a full look at your forecast:

Thursday night: Showers ending near midnight then cloudy. Risk of a thunderstorm this evening. Local amount 10 to 15 mm. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 6. Wind chill minus 12 overnight.

Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind north 20 km/h. High plus 1. Wind chill minus 13 in the morning.

Friday night: Clear in the evening then partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries overnight. Wind northwest 30 km/h becoming light in the evening. Low minus 7. Wind chill near minus 12.

Saturday: Sunny. High plus 4.

Saturday night: Cloudy periods. Low minus 1.

Sunday: Sunny. High 11.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 13.