Winter has returned in a hurry, and it is expected to dominate for the first half of January, at least. While no major storms are in sight across southern Ontario, the Arctic air crossing the open waters of the Great Lakes will continue to trigger potent lake-effect snow squalls.
A major multi-day lake-effect snow event will persist into the weekend, prompting widespread snow squall watches and warnings across the snowbelt region. Substantial snow totals are likely, along with extensive blowing and drifting snow, which could make travel next to impossible at times.
It’s possible for flurries to push into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as the squalls meander and move, but accumulations are minimal compared to the 30-60 cm of snow expected in the heaviest squalls.
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Another long duration lake-effect event is likely during the second week of January. Ski areas will receive an abundance of snow and be able to make snow, as well.
Keep an eye on local weather alerts and highway conditions before you hit the roads.
Polar air heading east from the Prairies is sweeping into the Great Lakes region, sending temperatures down from the balmy heights they reached over last weekend. The lake-effect snow will affect the snowbelt regions as the Great Lakes remain ice free.
Snow squalls will continue off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay through Friday morning, impacting Highway 400 and Highway 11 from Barrie to Orillia, as well as Highway 21 and 26. Snow squall watches and warnings are in effect, with locally heavy accumulations up to 60 cm possible.
“Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Road closures are possible.”
Drivers are urged to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
A wind change interrupts the squalls Friday morning, having them shift southwards, and giving a break in the squalls off Georgian Bay. That squall shift south to Lake Huron however, will bring more snow to areas along Highway 21.
More squalls develop once again Friday night and continue through Saturday, bringing another round of persistent snow to the same locations that are hit from Thursday to Friday.
Wind gusts will range from 40-50 km/h through Friday, and will pick up for Saturday with gusts upwards to 60 km/h.
It’s possible for flurries to occur in the GTA at times, as the squalls meander and move, but accumulations are minimal compared to the 30-60 cm of snow expected in the heaviest squalls.
The snow squalls are expected to finally come to an end on Sunday.
The Colorado/Texas Low that we have been watching for Sunday night and Monday will track too far south to bring any significant snow to the region, but this storm will have a major impact on travel across the U.S. Midwest, the mid-South and the mid-Atlantic states.
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Colder than normal temperatures are expected to dominate the first few weeks of the month, so it will certainly be feeling like winter once again.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for more forecast updates across Ontario.
