Ontario faces messy, complex St. Patrick's Day storm setup
Parts of northern Ontario could see 30+ cm of freshly fallen snow through this weekend, giving a harsh reminder that winter isn't ready to call it quits any time soon
The clocks may have sprung forward this past weekend, but the season feels like it's stepping back once again with this next potent system for Ontario on St. Patrick's Day Friday.
A guaranteed heavy swath of snow will stretch across parts of northern and central Ontario beginning Thursday and picking up in intensity for Friday, before featuring wraparound snow this weekend. A dumping of 30+ cm of fresh snow is likely for some areas in northern sections. Special weather statements are in place for some of the aforementioned regions.
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The makings of this system will be closely monitored as it heads into the California coast, mixes with some energy and cold air from the Canadian Prairies, and strengthens into a Colorado low by Thursday.
Parts of northern and eastern Ontario, as well as cottage country, have the potential to see heavy wet snow before a transition to rain later Friday evening. Ottawa could possibly accumulate more than 10 cm of snowfall, but confidence is low.
Prepare for quickly deteriorating travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
Across southern Ontario, it looks as though some classic spring weather will win out with a soggy rain, with a widespread 10-20 mm of rainfall forecast. Just add it on to our winter tab, which racked up 168.6 mm of rain, the rainiest winter on record for Toronto.
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As the cold air wraps in behind the storm, periods of lake-effect snow are also likely on Saturday and Sunday, which could make for some difficult travel with periods of heavy snow and reduced visibilities in the snowbelts.
Cooler-than-seasonal temperatures are expected to dominate the rest of March, but with some milder days mixed in, as well.
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Stay with The Weather Network for the latest on conditions across Ontario.