Hello, spring? Storm warnings for whiteouts, 40 cm of snow in parts of Ontario
The arrival of spring will be met with a potent winter storm across parts of northeastern Ontario, with 20-40 cm of snow and dangerous whiteout conditions on the table. Be prepared for the deteriorating travel
Ontario faces a true tale of two seasons this week, as temperatures soar ahead of spring's official arrival in the south, while northern sections brace for dangerous travel, and a potent winter blast.
Winter storm warnings and special weather statements are in effect across northern Ontario, with drivers urged to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
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A swath of 20-40 cm of snow is expected in areas situated east and northeast of Lake Superior, extending to the Quebec border. That combined with powerful wind gusts could make for some dangerous travel and closures late Wednesday and into Thursday.
Be sure to check highway conditions and local weather alerts before heading out this week.
Wednesday and Thursday: Travel not recommended as heavy snow targets northeastern Ontario
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 Wednesday afternoon, picking up in intensity through the evening, with intense snowfall rates of 3-5 cm per hour by Wednesday night.
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.
"Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the winter storm warning. "Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays."
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Wawa, Chapleau, Timmins, and Kapuskasing are 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 later Wednesday evening.
That will create a messy situation throughout the city as wet roads quickly turn to slippery slush.
Warm air wins out over southern and eastern Ontario for now
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 once again.
Conditions will remain dry until a cold front triggers rain, and possibly some thunder, on Thursday.
Colder-than-normal temperatures are expected to dominate for most of next week, more typical of late February and early March. 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.