Widespread Snow Hits Ontario Before Coldest Weather in Years
Ontario is bracing for heavy snow and frigid temperatures, with travel disruptions expected as Arctic air sweeps in
Ontario, Canada, Snow, Cold Weather, Travel
Ontario: This week, lake-effect snow squalls have been making quite the scene across parts of Ontario. The snow is piling up, especially in those traditional snowbelt areas. As we move into Wednesday, these squalls will start to ease up, but travel could still be tricky in some spots.
In the Greater Toronto Area, a few weak low-pressure systems have brought some light snow. While it won’t be a huge amount, it’s enough to make the roads a bit slick. So, if you’re driving, keep an eye out for changing conditions.
After a brief warm-up this weekend, get ready for some seriously cold temperatures next week. We’re talking about the coldest weather many have felt in years!
As the snow eases on Wednesday, some areas might see an extra 5-10 cm. The worst of it will be in the snowbelts, where travel could be a bit of a challenge.
On Thursday, a weak system will bring some light snow and gusty winds. Expect a dusting to about 3 cm in the GTA. Then, another system will roll in Friday night, bringing more widespread snow to kick off the weekend.
For northern and central Ontario, 5-10 cm of snow is expected, while the Highway 401 corridor might see less than 5 cm. Near the lakes, it could mix with rain.
As a warm front moves in, temperatures will rise a bit, but don’t get too comfy. By Sunday, Arctic air will sweep in, dropping temperatures significantly. Some areas in northern Ontario could see a drop of 24°C in just 24 hours!
In southern Ontario, expect a noticeable drop of about 15°C from Saturday to Sunday. The first real cold day will hit on Sunday, and it looks like that Arctic air will stick around for a few days.
Next week, more lake-effect snow is likely for the snowbelts, but the winds should help spread it out, so we might not see any crazy totals.
For many, this will be the coldest weather in years. For instance, Kenora is looking at a daytime high of -28°C, the coldest since January 2019. London and Ottawa are also bracing for their coldest nights in a while.
As we move into February, there’s a chance for milder air to push in from the U.S., but it’s too early to tell if that will bring a nice break or just messy storms.