Quick snap back into winter as winds and icy conditions hit Ontario
Winter weather travel advisories and flash freeze warnings were issued first thing Thursday, as plunging temperatures, powerful winds, and icy conditions hit Ontario. Be prepared and plan ahead before heading out
The spring-like weather in southern Ontario has left as quickly as it arrived, with winter weather travel advisories replacing the milder rain that hit on Wednesday.
MARCH 2025 OUTLOOK: Canada to see March madness as winter transitions to spring
Powerful winds, blowing snow, and rapidly falling temperatures will sweep the region through Thursday, creating hazardous travel conditions and bitter wind chills. Standing water on sidewalks and roadways risk a dangerous freeze as cold air rushes across southern Ontario.
"Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly," warns Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the winter travel advisory issued for Toronto. "Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery."
Flood watches and warnings remain in effect, as well, after the amount of rainfall and warming temperatures on Wednesday. Local conservation authorities are on alert for possible ice jams and river flooding.
Stay up-to-date on your local weather alerts, and be sure to check the latest highway conditions before heading out on the roads.
Thursday: Dangerous travel conditions with powerful winds, icy surfaces, and blowing snow
Flash freeze warnings and winter weather travel advisories are widespread across much of southern, eastern, and central Ontario, as temperatures rapidly drop behind Wednesday's system.
A temperature drop of 1°C per hour, along with wind gusts up to 70 km/h, will enhance the rate of freezing for most of the warned areas.
Any residual rainfall will also change to blowing snow in the south, as temperatures significantly drop and snow flurries push in. Impacts across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will be sporadic, with the traditional snowbelt regions feeling more of the wintry wrath.
Wind gusts between 50-70+km/h, paired with the snowfall, will likely slow travel into Thursday afternoon. Highway 21 could see weather delays and closures, and the Thursday evening commute may be impacted in the Ottawa area, as well.
"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," says ECCC. "Slow down driving in slippery conditions. Watch for taillights ahead and maintain a safe following distance."
WATCH: An icy morning in Ontario, will the evening be any better?
Snowfall totals could range from trace amounts in the GTA, to 5+ cm for for the Lake Huron shorelines.
Colder weekend before another warm-up across southern Ontario
Another shot of Arctic air will spread through for this weekend, with blustery and well below seasonal conditions expected for Saturday. Conditions will trend much milder by next week.
We are watching the potential for a couple days with very mild temperatures into the mid to upper teens by mid and late next week, especially for areas across southwestern Ontario.
Winter won't give up just yet
The much milder pattern however, is not expected to lock in, and shots of cooler weather are expected during the second half of the month. Above normal precipitation totals are also forecast mid-month, as additional Colorado lows make their way through the region.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Ontario.