Intense snow squalls hit Ontario, risk of treacherous travel in 30+ cm of snow
Some drivers across southern Ontario are being urged to postpone non-essential travel through Wednesday, as potent bands of lake-effect snow will have major impacts on the roads. As much as 40 cm could fall
The first significant snow squalls of the season will continue to create narrow bands of whiteouts and wintry travel through Tuesday, and early Wednesday, in parts of southern Ontario. That's as cool, Arctic air settles in, providing the perfect lift for the lake-effect snow machine to fire up.
Over 20 cm of snow is still to come in the hardest hit regions, with the risk for isolated power outages, as well.
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Intense snowfall rates of up to 5 cm of snow per hour at times could make travel difficult over some locations. Road closures are possible.
"Be prepared to deal with changing road conditions that deteriorate quickly. Evaluate the possibility of delaying any non-essential travel until conditions improve," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in a snow squall warning that remains in effect.
Plan accordingly with more on the timing and impacts, below.
Tuesday and Wednesday
We are onto day two out of three for the multi-day snow event off of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Continued impacts to the tradition snowbelts, and eventually the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Kitchener-Waterloo region, are expected through Tuesday.
The narrow bands of snow will keep the heaviest accumulations highly localized, with the risk of over achieving, but travel impacts and road closures could be more widespread. The primary danger is with reduced visibility under heavy snowfall, paired with wind gusts close to 60 km/h.
Tuesday, the core of the cold is at its peak, and daytime highs may fail to reach the freezing mark for the first time this season in the city of Toronto. More importantly, there will be a stronger temperature contrast over the warmer lakes, resulting in more potent snow squalls.
Tuesday commuters taking the 400, 401 and highways north, will likely experience a period of intense snowfall, gusty winds and limited visibility with blowing snow forecast within the bands.
Road closures are also possible, so be sure to check your routes and leave extra time for slower travel.
The worst squalls will set up over Lake Huron on Tuesday, impacting Kincardine, Goderich, Stratford, Kitchener and Waterloo, and surrounding areas. Another intense squall setting up off Georgian Bay will head over Wasaga Beach, Highway 26, Barrie and south along the 400.
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Some of these areas could see an additional 10-20+ cm of snow, with some very localized areas potentially seeing more.
There is high confidence that the west GTA will see flurries and localized bursts of heavier snow. Most places should see a dusting of snow on the west side of the GTA (near and west of downtown), and definitely a risk for localized over achievement.
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Some seasonal firsts for Toronto and Hamilton
With bitterly cold air and persistent, northwesterly winds forecast, brief bursts of snowfall could temporarily move through the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Accumulations will be limited here, but a light dusting is possible near Hamilton, Brantford and Kitchener, with slightly higher elevations and colder temperatures.
Toronto may record three different firsts this season with this particular wintry event.
Toronto's first snow squall may lead to our first snowfall accumulation, all fuelled by the coldest air of the season. As stated, our first daytime high below the freezing mark may be recorded on Tuesday. Wind chill values will easily dip into the double-digits below zero for many communities, as well.
If this happens, Toronto will be colder than Iqaluit, Nvt., in Canada's Far North -- more than 2,000 km away. Iqaluit's forecast of 0°C and 3°C on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be warmer than both Toronto and Ottawa.
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Setups like this can occur on occasion with the displacement of the polar vortex. However, it is highly unusual.
Things will start looking up once we get past Wednesday, thankfully. Milder air will push into southern Ontario for the opening days of December, bringing near or slightly above-seasonal temperatures and a chance for communities to melt off some of that fresh snow.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Ontario.
