Near-impossible travel as southern Ontario to see 25-40+ cm of snow
Unnecessary travel is not advised Saturday night into Sunday as a major winter storm blows through southern and eastern Ontario with 20-40+ cm of snow
Expect dangerous if not nearly impossible travel throughout southern Ontario as a major winter storm approaches the area this weekend. Saturday’s snow is an appetizer to the main event arriving overnight into the day Sunday.
Similar to Thursday's storm, expect significant travel disruptions and cancellations. Widespread snowfall totals of 25-35+ cm are expected throughout the region, including the Greater Toronto Area, with some communities possibly seeing more than 40 cm of snow.
Blizzard-like conditions are also possible at times in some areas.
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As always, have a plan in place, and be sure to keep up-to-date on your local weather alerts. Always check the highway conditions before heading out.
Saturday: Snow spreads into southern Ontario
The first round of snow on Saturday will serve as an appetizer to the main course arriving overnight into Sunday.
A disturbance pushing across the Great Lakes has spread snow across much of Ontario for the day Saturday, with snowfall continuing for much of the day across central and southern Ontario. Locally breezy conditions will accompany the snowfall at times on Saturday.
Saturday’s snowfall will lighten through the evening—but don’t let your guard down yet. We’ll see average totals of 5-10 cm from Saturday’s even for the GTA and southwestern Ontario, with less than 5 cm on average for eastern Ontario. The rest is coming Sunday.
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A stronger low-pressure system will develop to the west and tap into Gulf moisture as it pushes into the region. This system’s formation will increase snowfall rates, snow totals, and wind gusts heading into Sunday across the region.
Wind gusts will remain out of the east, and gradually strengthen through the day, making for hazardous travel once the snow begins.
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Sunday: Significant snow totals pile up, travel could be treacherous
This strengthening low-pressure system south of the Great Lakes will begin to feed more significant snowfall overnight Saturday and into Sunday.
There is an increasing chance of ice pellets and brief freezing rain for southern Niagara region in the pre-dawn hours Sunday morning.
The heaviest snowfall will be just north of the transition zone, which could blanket the GTA, putting the entire region closer to 30 cm.
Travel will be even more treacherous—with roads downright dangerous or impossible to navigate—as intensifying snowfall rates of 2-3 cm/h and wind gusts of 40-60 km/h buffet the region into the day. The winds will create blizzard-like conditions in the afternoon and evening as the snow moves out.
Shifting winds behind the low could briefly produce gusts exceeding 90 km/h along the eastern and northeastern ends of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
It’s highly advised to avoid any unnecessary travel across much of southern and eastern Ontario on Sunday.
Flight delays, cancellations, and closures can be anticipated.
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Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.
Brace for 25-35+ cm of snow
The system is forecast to track east and depart the area Sunday evening, leaving a hefty swath of snow in its wake.
It appears likely that much of the GTA, as well as most of southern and eastern Ontario, should prepare for another round of 25-35 cm of snow into Monday. Parts of eastern Ontario could see more than 40 cm of snow from this event through Monday morning. Southwestern Ontario will see a little less, with 15-25 cm expected.
We’ve seen 94 cm of snow at Toronto-Pearson so far this season. This weekend’s winter storm will likely push Toronto above the seasonal average of 109.7 cm.
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.
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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.