Winter in Ontario has kicked off on a snowy note after a weekend of potent snow squalls to parts of the province and now a clipper system bringing the first widespread snow to the rest of southern and eastern Ontario. At this point, it’s safe to say that everyone in Ontario has had their snowy introduction to winter.
Snow squall warnings and weather advisories span the majority of the province on Wednesday, and almost all major routes are reporting low visibility due to snow-covered roadways.
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There have also been widespread school bus cancellations on Wednesday morning, including in eastern, northwestern, and northeastern Ontario.
This is the first snow event for major areas in Ontario, such as the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Ottawa. As such, drivers on the road should prepare for delays throughout the day as road conditions change and drivers adjust back to winter travel.
Snow is expected to continue into Thursday morning across the province, often falling in heavy bursts throughout the day Wednesday.
Blowing snow and whiteout conditions are expected throughout the region as winds pick up over the day.
Localized power outages are also possible due to the wet nature of the snow.
Strong southerly winds have also prompted the Grand River Conservation Authority to issue a flood watch alert for Port Colborne and its surrounding areas along Lake Erie’s north shore. The agency warns people to stay away from the lake’s shorelines due to strong waves and rising water levels.
Meanwhile, up north, areas already affected by the previous weekend’s snow squalls, such as Sault Ste. Marie and cottage country, which brought snow totals up to 140 cm to some areas, can expect snow squalls to return and bring additional snow accumulations throughout Wednesday.
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