PHOTOS: 'Snow it begins' -- but most Ontarians aren't ready
Ready or not -- the first snow sightings of the season have hit southern Ontario this week. Even the first winter weather travel advisories were issued because of it as well.
That's as a swath of cold Arctic air slid south over the province, bringing temperatures much more typical of what you'd expect in November rather than the middle of October. Daytime highs have been hovering about five to eight degrees below seasonal, with overnight lows sitting near or below 0°C. Couple those colder temperatures with a favourable atmospheric pattern, and the precipitation that has fallen has transitioned into wet snow in some places.
Areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay have had the best chances to see the snow, with higher elevations even picking up some decent accumulations. A fresh round of snow is in the forecast through Thursday as the cold air combined with brisk southwesterly winds blow across southern Ontario.
MUST SEE: Ontario snow squall threat prompts season’s first travel advisories
This setup could lead to several lake-effect snow squalls blowing off of Lake Huron and Georgian, prompting the first winter weather travel advisory for the region. We could see snowfall totals of 5 to 10 cm by the end of the day on Thursday across areas that experience the most potent snow squalls.
While it's certainly not unheard of to see snow during the month of October across the province, according to a recent poll question we asked on Twitter, only a small percentage actually want to see the snow fall this month. In fact, nearly 70 percent of those who answered say, December is the preferred time to see those first flakes fly.
The good news for those who aren't quite ready is this won't be a freefall right into the winter season. Conditions will improve as early as Friday, becoming sunny and warmer throughout the weekend.
First look: Pattern reversal expected as Canada falls into winter
"Expect spectacular fall weather this weekend, with abundant sunshine and well above seasonal temperatures as daytime highs reach the mid to upper teens, and a few spots could even hit the 20-degree mark," says Dr. Doug Gillham, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
Warmer than normal temperatures will also continue through early next week.
Here's a closer look at the early season snow that's been falling:
WATCH: Winter travel and snowsqualls march through southern Ontario
Thumbnail image courtesy: Kirk MacDonald/Twitter
