Dangerous conditions, 25-35+ cm snow expected Sunday in southern Ontario
Prepare to stay home Sunday as 25-35+ cm of snow blankets much of southern Ontario. Whiteout conditions are possible at times
Southern Ontario’s third winter storm in eight days will blanket the region with 25-35+ cm of snow through the end of the weekend.
Gusty winds and heavy snowfall rates will lead to blizzard-like conditions at times. Expect significant travel disruptions and cancellations Sunday and lingering into Monday.
As the snow winds down through the day, please use extreme caution while venturing out. Do not walk in the streets. It's difficult for motorists to see pedestrians around snowbanks, and the roads themselves remain very slick.
Make sure your vehicle is prepared if you absolutely have to travel during hazardous conditions. Stay up-to-date on your local weather alerts, and be sure to check the latest highway conditions before heading out.
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Southern Ontario expecting a major snowfall
Saturday’s coating of snow was a prelude to the major event arriving through the overnight hours into early Sunday morning.
A Colorado low developing stateside will tap into ample Gulf moisture as it treks just south of the Great Lakes. This storm track places southern Ontario in the ideal position for widespread heavy snowfall beginning before dawn and lasting through much of the day Sunday.
Easterly winds will gradually strengthen through the day, making for low visibility and tough travel once the steady snow begins.
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area: Snow peaks Sunday morning
The heaviest snows will set up just north of this transition zone, which could blanket the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), pushing the entire region close to 30 cm of snowfall by the end of the storm.
We’ll see bands of heavy snow push into the GTHA early Sunday morning. Snowfall rates of 2-3 cm per hour with winds of 40-60 km/h will lead to near-whiteout conditions at times, as well as blizzard-like conditions.
Travel is not advised during the worst conditions Sunday. Light snow will continue into Sunday evening, gradually tapering off from west to east.
Widespread snowfall totals of 25-35 cm will blanket the region, including Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Barrie, and Orillia. Totals of 20-30 cm are expected farther southwest toward London, with 15-25 cm on tap for folks in and around Windsor.
We’ve seen 94 cm of snow at Toronto-Pearson so far this season as of Feb. 14. This weekend’s winter storm will likely push Toronto above the seasonal average of 109.7 cm. This storm could rank among the top-five largest single day snows on record if it lives up to its full potential. Toronto's largest one-day snowfall was 30.4 cm on Feb. 6, 2008, followed by 29.1 cm on Jan. 17, 2022.
By the time this system departs, we could see Toronto left with the deepest snow pack it has had since 1999.
WATCH: Toronto buried in snow Sunday, passing annual snowfall average
Ottawa: Whiteouts possible Sunday afternoon
The storm will ramp up a little later across eastern Ontario, including Ottawa.
Folks around the National Capital Region will see snow and blowing snow intensify through Sunday morning, with snowfall rates of 1-2 cm per hour to start.
Expect the worst conditions to arrive Sunday afternoon with heavy, blowing snow enveloping the nation’s capital. Snowfall rates could approach 2-3 cm per hour with northeasterly winds of 40-50 km/h. Whiteout conditions are likely.
The snow will slowly ease through the evening hours, finally tapering to flurries by Sunday night. Conditions will remain blustery after the storm—beware blowing snow and low visibility, especially in open areas, even after the snow tapers off Sunday night.
Widespread snowfall totals of 30-40 cm will blanket eastern Ontario through Monday morning. Some communities could see more than 40 cm of snow from this system.
Frigid air, and dangerous snow squalls hit for the holiday Monday
A spell of frigid Arctic air will spread across the region as our weekend storm departs.
Daytime temperatures will remain in the minus teens with blustery northwest winds causing extensive blowing and drifting snow and whiteouts, especially in open areas north of the GTA where bands of lake-effect snow squalls are also likely.
The lake-effect snow squalls will stretch from the Lake Huron shoreline to the GTA on Monday, lasting into Tuesday. These squalls are also expected to impact parts of the 400 series highways.
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Snow squalls on Monday will also be accompanied by 40-60 km/h wind gusts, which could lead to whiteout conditions.
The wind chill will be in the -20s, and could reach -30 well northwest of the GTA on Monday.
Frigid conditions are forecast for most of next week, as well, with the pattern slightly relaxing during the final week of February. Still, no consistent milder weather is in sight.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates on this developing storm.