Arctic air will spill into Ontario with possible 15-25 cm of April snow
A blast of Arctic air will help usher in frigid temperatures, gusty winds and multiple rounds of snowfall in parts of Ontario this week, with a potential of 15-25 cm to accumulate for some locales.
The start to the new week will see a switch back to wintry weather in Ontario as April provides a little reminder that snow is still normal for this time of the year.
In fact, some areas in northeastern Ontario could see up to 15-25 cm of accumulation through Tuesday. If you live in those centres, keep your snow-clearing equipment on standby. If you need to travel Monday and Tuesday, you may need to adjust your plans.
DON’T MISS: 1 million customers hit hard. Ontario's historic ice storm by the numbers
Elsewhere in Ontario, the snowbelt regions and eastern Ontario are expected to see a dusting of snow, with 2-5 cm expected. Roads are likely to be wet and slippery, so expect slower commutes, especially with the strong winds. Even in areas without the snow, the blustery wind gusts of 40-70 km/h could make travel a bit tricky on Monday.
Monday to Tuesday: Wintry weather returns, difficult travel likely
Models now have a better grasp of a small, compact low-pressure system that will sweep across Ontario on Monday, taking a track along the sharp temperature boundary that exists across the province.
As the low organizes itself, heavy bursts of snowfall are forecast across Georgian Bay and northeastern Ontario, pushing eastward to the National Capital Region by Monday night.
By Tuesday morning, the system snow continues across eastern Ontario, but lake-effect snow becomes the second act.
Winds will be particularly breezy for a few key regions including the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay shores, with northwesterly gusts of 50-80 km/h, as well as Prince Edward County, which will see westerly gusts in the 50-80 km/h range as the low pushes north.
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will escape the strongest winds, and any snowfall, but widespread 40-60 km/h winds are forecast, with localized gusts to 70 km/h.
The heaviest snowfall will remain confined to a corridor north of Georgian Bay, stretching from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., to north of Parry Sound and then extending into Quebec. An even smaller area, from Sudbury to north of Parry Sound, will take the heaviest hit--with 15-25 cm of snow possible through Tuesday. Needless to say, travel along Highway 11 and Highway 17 will likely be hazardous, so avoid them if you can during that time.
Areas farther south in the traditional snowbelt regions won't have to deal with nearly as much, with 2-5 cm for areas near southern Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, as well as parts of eastern Ontario.
On Tuesday, temperatures will take a considerable nosedive, plunging 10°C to 15°C below seasonal across southern and eastern Ontario.
Temperatures about 1,500 metres above the ground are forecast to fall to -17°C on Tuesday. Those values are typically reserved for the winter months. Those winds will be enough to trigger lake-effect snow off of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay through Monday evening into Tuesday.
This surge of unusually cold weather will prove short-lived, with more seasonable temperatures returning by the end of the week.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Ontario.