How the Great Lakes Shield Southern Ontario from Extreme Cold
The Great Lakes play a crucial role in moderating winter temperatures in southern Ontario
Great Lakes, Southern Ontario, Arctic Air, Barrie, Toronto, London, Windsor
Toronto: This week, a serious chill from the Arctic is hitting the Prairies hard. It’s so cold that even weather satellites are getting confused.
But here’s the good news: the Great Lakes are stepping in to help southern Ontario. They’re going to keep the worst of the cold at bay this weekend.
Right now, the lakes are surprisingly ice-free for January. NOAA reported that the ice coverage is only about 1.4 percent, way below the usual 8.8 percent we’d expect.
That open water is a game changer for our winter weather. We often see snow squalls in areas downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. These happen when cold winds blow over the warmer lake water, creating bands of snow.
But it’s not just about snow. The warm water also helps to soften the Arctic air before it hits southern Ontario. It’s like a buffer, keeping things a bit warmer during the cold months.
As those frigid winds travel from the Prairies, they have to cross over Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. By the time they reach us, they’ve warmed up quite a bit.
This usually helps areas like Barrie, the Greater Toronto Area, and even down to London and Windsor. But if you’re in northern cottage country or eastern Ontario, those cold winds can come straight from the Prairies without touching the lakes, bringing the full blast of winter.