Welcome to January, and winter, in Ontario
January brings a return to winter, with a chilly cool down and some lake-effect snow setting up this week in southern Ontario
Signs of winter were certainly hard to come by across parts of Ontario through December, with an odd, and warm-at-times month leaving many wondering where the cold and snow was.
Winter will finally step onto the playing field during this first week of January and then take over the pattern across much of Canada during the second and third week. A split in the polar vortex will finally trump El Niño as the primary driver of the weather pattern. That means colder air and an active storm track are on the table as we progress through the month.
MUST SEE: Winter to finally show up in January as El Niño bested by polar vortex
Through Wednesday
The first signs of snowfall began late Tuesday in cottage country, and off of Lake Erie, as a weak cold front moved through the region. While accumulations were light waking up Wednesday morning, lake-effect snow bands will intensify through the afternoon, and so will the snow totals.
Areas east of Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, MacTier and Pointe au Baril will all see persistent snow through the day in the heaviest snow bands.
Along the Lake Huron shorelines, Grey Bruce will also see accumulating snow with the cold front and even some weak squalls off the lake.
SEE ALSO: Where did December go? Canada's winter wonderland turned upside down
The same will go for parts of Niagara as a lake-effect snow band will set up off Lake Erie, mostly impacting Buffalo, N.Y. There is the chance for snow to accumulate in Fort Erie and even Port Colborne as the squall will meander through the day.
Cottage country, including Owen Sound, appears to have the highest chance for 5-10+ cm of snow, with a few flurries affecting the Highway 401 corridor and Hamilton.
Niagara Falls and the shores of Lake Erie should prepare for 3-5+cm of snowfall. Here, there is a risk for higher snowfall, depending on wind direction and where the lake-effect snow develops. Some models keep it stateside, but others push north into Canada. Be aware of possible snowy driving and delays at the border crossings.
Thursday
Thursday will see conditions improve, but don't let the much-needed sunshine fool you. Wind chills will be quite uncomfortable, with minus double-digit, feels-like values spreading across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and east.
Wind chill values of -10 to -15 will be the warmest it gets on Thursday afternoon.
While the colder weather does not appear to stick around for long, it will be feeling much colder than temperatures felt in December. It's time to dust off the hats, mitts and warmer coats for one day.
An active pattern is expected to continue through the second week of January and into the third week of January.
Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast information and updates on your weather across southern Ontario.
