Parts of Ontario could see up to 40 cm of snow from sprawling winter storm
An expansive storm marching into northern Ontario will have serious implications for travel, with some areas in line to see 20-40 cm of snowfall. Meanwhile, southern Ontario gets a taste of spring ahead of its official arrival
With southern Ontario seeing pleasant temperatures this week, ahead of spring's arrival, northern sections of the province will be dealing with a major winter storm.
Winter storm warnings and special weather statements are in effect across northern Ontario, with dangerous travel expected amid heavy snow and powerful winds. A swath of 15-40 cm of snow is expected in areas situated east and northeast of Lake Superior, extending to the Quebec border.
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Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays.
Be sure to check highway conditions and local weather alerts before heading out this week.
Wednesday and Thursday: Heavy snow blasts through northeastern Ontario, travel not recommended
A Colorado low will pull up ample moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as it travels over the Great Lakes on Wednesday afternoon.
A mass of cold air sitting over northern Ontario will fight back against the low, with the cold, northwesterly winds wrapping around it to create a band of heavy snow over the northeast.
Snow will start early on Wednesday, picking up in intensity throughout the day until we see peak and intense snowfall rates of 3-5 cm per hour by Wednesday night.
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Winds will also whip up to 40-60 km/h, resulting in reduced visibility and blowing snow along the highways. Highway 17 will be at the greatest risk of impacts.
Wawa, Chapleau, Timmins, and Kapuskasing are currently forecast to see the heaviest snowfall totals, with 20-40 cm of wet snow possible.
Meanwhile, Sault Ste. Marie will be the dividing line between heavy rains and heavy snow, with this event starting as rain on Wednesday and transitioning to snow by Thursday.
That will create a messy situation throughout the city as wet roads quickly turn to slippery slush.
Could it hit 20°C? Warm air mass prevails over southern and eastern Ontario
At the same time, we'll see the typical spring-like weather continue in southern and eastern Ontario, with warm temperatures into the mid- to high teens prevailing from Ottawa to Windsor through Wednesday.
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Some communities in the southwest could even approach the 20-degree mark.
Conditions will remain dry until a cold front triggers rain, and possibly some thunder, on Thursday.
Early next week, a clipper and a Colorado kow are expected to merge and track into the Great Lakes region. We have a wide range of possible tracks and scenarios.
A more southerly track would bring a messy mix of snow, ice and rain, while a more northerly path would bring primarily rain to the region.
Colder-than-normal temperatures are expected to dominate for most of next week. Changeable temperatures are expected to tip to the cold side of normal through early April.
Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast information and updates on your weather across Ontario.