Southern Ontario is facing a potentially severe snowstorm this week that could be even worse than initially predicted. Meteorologists are now warning of two consecutive intense weather events that could dump up to 40 cm of snow and cause significant disruptions across the province.
The first storm will arrive Wednesday as a Texas low moves into southern and northeastern Ontario. It will bring freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow, creating hazardous conditions for both commuters and air travelers. Power outages are a real concern, as The Weather Network (TWN) reported Tuesday morning. Localized lake-effect snow will begin to affect areas near Sarnia, Kincardine, Hamilton, Oakville, and more by early Wednesday afternoon, intensifying as the evening progresses.
A wide swath of the province, including Windsor, London, Barrie, Bancroft, Cobourg, Toronto, and beyond, will see snow accumulations of 1-3 cm overnight on Wednesday. However, things are expected to worsen as the storm moves forward.
By Thursday, the situation will deteriorate further. As temperatures drop, wind speeds will increase, bringing the possibility of whiteout conditions, especially with the freshly fallen snow. The Niagara region and the eastern sections of Lake Ontario will face the strongest winds, with gusts reaching 70-90 km/h, TWN warns. These gusty winds, combined with wet snow and icy conditions, could lead to widespread power outages throughout the day.
Areas around Lake Erie will experience heavy ice accumulation, and the snowfall totals will be staggering. Some regions may receive up to 40 cm of snow, with accumulation rates reaching 5 cm per hour. Ottawa is expected to be one of the hardest-hit cities, with potential snowfalls over 30 cm.
In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), cities like Pickering, Oshawa, Hamilton, Brampton, and Toronto itself are bracing for significant snowfall. The downtown core could see 15-20 cm of snow, while Newmarket and areas further north could receive 20-25 cm. St. Catharines will see the lightest snowfall, but even this city will receive 10-15 cm, creating significant hazards.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a special weather statement on Tuesday afternoon, warning of “snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain likely late Wednesday into Thursday” in Toronto. They predict that snowfall in the city could exceed 15 cm, with heavy snow making visibility poor and travel dangerous.
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TWN’s experts have high confidence that the period between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning will bring hazardous travel conditions. Drivers are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. This storm is expected to be a precursor to another snowstorm that will move in next weekend, leading up to Family Day.
The second storm is predicted to bring additional double-digit snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm on Saturday and Sunday before the holiday. With temperatures in the minus teens on Family Day, Southern Ontario will experience a stretch of colder-than-usual weather, lasting for weeks to come.
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