PHOTOS: Welcome to December! Unique storm clobbers Ontario with 40+ cm

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

A winter-like blast of snow drastically impacted travel across the southwest and Greater Toronto Area Tuesday, along with closing schools and cancelling buses in several school districts.

December is the start of meteorological winter, and its first day definitely looked winter-like across much of southern Ontario on Tuesday.


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The hardest-hit parts of the province south of Georgian Bay were slammed with 30-40+ cm of snow, with much of the southwest and GTA picking up between 10-20 cm.

By Wednesday morning, Wiarton Airport officially reported a whopping 44 cm of snow.

ONSnowTotals (1)

Most of the region's highways, including major 400-series routes, were fully or partially covered with snow, as the flakes were furiously flying during the day Tuesday. Police had warned motorists to be mindful of the conditions, with several collisions reported throughout the day.

Several school bus and class cancellations were announced for school districts in the GTA and southwest, as well.

Aside from some lingering snow flurries on Wednesday, conditions will dry out through the afternoon as the sluggish low finally departs the province. Much quieter conditions persist into Thursday, but a weak system and cold front will track in on Friday, with a few centimetres of snow expected for much of the region. Forecasters are also closely watching a tricky set-up for Sunday, which could bring more snow to parts of the province.

WELCOME TO DECEMBER: HEAVY SNOW PILES UP ACROSS SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Thumbnail courtesy of David Piano.