Ontario braces for significant snowfall this week, causing travel disruptions and hazardous conditions across the region
Ontario: This week, multiple weather systems are teaming up to dump a lot of snow across the province. If you’re planning to travel, be ready for some delays and tricky conditions. Some areas could see over 30-40 cm of snow!
A low-pressure system hanging over Lake Superior is expected to bring significant snowfall to areas downwind of the Great Lakes. Plus, another low over Lake Ontario will keep things unsettled through Tuesday.
So, if you’re in the Greater Toronto Area, expect slower and slippery commutes, even if the snow amounts are lighter there.
With the Great Lakes mostly ice-free, the warmer water is creating instability, which helps keep these low-pressure systems around longer. The jet stream is further south, allowing Lake Superior to pump heat and moisture into the air, making it feel like the low is stuck there.
Snow will keep falling in northeastern, central, and eastern Ontario, with some flurries likely for the GTA.
As the cold air wraps around the low, lake-effect snow bands will form, especially from Midland to north of Parry Sound. Some spots could see up to 50 cm of snow, while most areas are looking at 15-30 cm.
Snow squalls are also expected along the northern shores of Lake Huron, from Saugeen Shores to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. Wind gusts could reach 60 km/h along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, with even stronger gusts possible along Lake Erie.
Blowing snow will make things tricky on roads and shorelines, especially in the snowbelts and northern Ontario, where travel could be quite challenging.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warns that snow squalls can cause sudden changes in weather, going from clear skies to heavy snow in just a few kilometers. So, if you’re driving, keep an eye out for rapidly accumulating snow.
On Tuesday, the snow will keep coming, thanks to the cold air above. As the winds shift, snow squalls will move south, possibly bringing flurries to parts of the GTA.
Areas like Meaford to Wasaga Beach will see squalls off Georgian Bay, while Grand Bend to Saugeen Shores will be affected by Lake Huron squalls.
Prepare for quickly changing travel conditions, and if visibility drops, slow down and be ready to stop.
Temperatures will dip quite low midweek but should bounce back to near-seasonal levels by the weekend.
Looking ahead, a cold, wintry pattern is expected to stick around into late January, but a milder trend could start in early February.
