Bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snow are affecting Ontario, with warnings in place for dangerous conditions across the region
Ontario: It’s getting really chilly out there! The snow is piling up as those frigid temperatures whip up snow squalls off the lakes. Some areas are under snow squall watches and warnings, so keep an eye out.
In southern Ontario, folks might see over 40 cm of snow from this latest round of lake-effect snow through Wednesday. If you’re hitting the road, be careful. Visibility can drop fast, and roads can get slippery.
And if you plan to step outside, make sure to bundle up! The cold is no joke this week, so layer up and limit your time in the freezing air.
That Arctic air mass is sticking around until Wednesday, with the coldest temps hitting on Tuesday. Northern Ontario is under extreme cold warnings, with wind chills dipping to a dangerous -50°C. Seriously, frostbite can happen in just minutes!
Environment and Climate Change Canada warns that even during the day, when it usually warms up a bit, relief from the cold will be hard to find. Toronto is set to see its coldest daytime high since January 2019, hitting -12°C.
Extreme cold warnings are also in effect for places like Windsor, London, and Barrie, where daytime highs will stay in the minus teens. Wind chills will make it feel even colder, so stay warm!
As for the snow, the Great Lakes are still mostly unfrozen, which is fueling this lake-effect snow. With the lakes sitting at chilly temperatures, frigid winds are kicking up more snow. A weak system moving in will keep the snow going through Wednesday.
Areas near Lake Huron to Georgian Bay could see up to 60 cm of snow, especially around the Bruce Peninsula and north of Barrie. And don’t forget about the Niagara Peninsula, where squalls are expected to hit hard.
Winds gusting at 40-50 km/h will make travel tricky, so plan accordingly. A weak system from the north will also bring more snow to the Greater Toronto Area, but it should clear out by Thursday.
Looking ahead, colder-than-normal temps will stick around into the last week of January. There’s a chance for milder air to push in through early February, but it’s too soon to tell if that means spring-like weather or more messy storms.
