Ontario: Enjoy Friday's warmth, weekend snows to follow
Friday features one last dose of mild temperatures, ahead of a weekend cooldown seasoned with a couple of shots of snow -- while forecasters keep an eye on a system brewing for the following week.
The week will end pleasantly for most of Ontario, but temperatures fall once again to around freezing for the weekend, with both days set to see a chance of snow for parts of the south thanks to two unrelated systems. For a closer look at the weekend, as well as what could be ahead for next week, read below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Southern Ontario expected to be dry and mild Friday, temperatures drop for the weekend
Light snow for most of the south Saturday, starting overnight Friday
Second system brings second round of snow Sunday afternoon and evening
Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area
SOUTH REMAINS DRY, MILD
Forecasters have been eyeing a system passing south of Ontario in the U.S. for its potential impact on southern Ontario, with an eye toward showers for Friday, but the risk has gradually diminished as the week has passed, such that the entire south is expected to remain largely dry to close out the week.
Thursday's warmth has hung on as well, with morning lows above zero and daytime highs projected to be in the mid-single digits for most people.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: TWO SHOTS OF SNOW AS TEMPERATURES DROP
The risk for snow on Saturday from the U.S. system has drawn back somewhat as well as the week passed, but it's still expected to bruch the south of the province, such that most people will see a few flakes Saturday.
The snow creeps in through the southwest by predawn Saturday, spreading to cover most of the southwest and GTA, but with generally light amounts. Only the Niagara Region is likely to see more than 5 cm, though a final shift in the track could lead to slightly elevated totals for parts of eastern Ontario near the St. Lawrence, which presently look to pick up no more than 3 cm.
It should all be done by the end of day Saturday, but the cooler temperatures linger into Sunday, and we are watching a fast-moving clipper unrelated to the system that brought Saturday's snow.
That system looks to bring more widespread snow across southern Ontario, beginning Sunday afternoon, and ending through the evening and overnight, west to east.
BELOW: TRACK THE PASSAGE OF BOTH WEEKEND SYSTEMS
MORE WINTRY WEATHER NEXT WEEK?
Looking ahead to next week, models are struggling with the development and track of a potential system on Tuesday. Some have indicated significant snow for southern Ontario and southern Quebec, but at this time, there is low confidence that anything significant will result from it. We will continue to monitor it as we get closer to next week.
While temperatures will drop on the weekend, at this point, it doesn't look like we'll see consistent cold weather in our region at least through until mid-January. The focus of the frigid weather will likely remain well west of our region.
"However, this will likely create an active pattern for our region and it is possible that the storm track will be far enough south at times to give us wintry weather," said Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. He adds, however, this pattern favours systems that bring a variety of precipitation types, with the potential for more rain.
