Risk of late weekend snowstorm looms for southern Ontario

Friday, January 3, 2014, 6:59 PM -

Snow, strong winds and frigid wind chills are the best ways to sum up the start of 2014 in Ontario.

Upwards of 30 cm of snow piled up in some places on Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in several car crashes throughout the day.

Widespread wind chill warnings have also been issued as bitterly cold Arctic air settles into the region.

"The combination of winds and Arctic air continues to produce severe wind chills in many localities with values ranging from minus 30 to minus 40," said Environment Canada in their Friday morning statement.

Forecasters however, are keeping their eye on a weekend storm that could bring more heavy snow.

"This next storm will have some warmer air to work with, so we're going to have to watch this in terms of precipitation type," says Weather Network chief meteorologist Chris Scott. "Is it all snow, or do we mix over? It won't be an ice storm, we do not have an ice storm in the forecast, so don't worry about that."

Scott adds however, it's the timing of this storm that could be the biggest problem.

"Late Sunday into Sunday night means, Monday everybody going back to school and work, that's what we're concerned about."

Currently, the biggest question is: Where does this low develop and where does it track?

"There's going to be storm here, that's a rock solid guarantee, it's just a case of does it come over southern Ontario or does it go more over eastern Ontario and southern Quebec?," says Scott, adding that models aren't in agreement just yet.

"So it's not a guarantee yet that this is a snowstorm for the GTA however, we know there's going to be a storm here and because it's a back to school, back to work scenario on Monday, this is one you've got to watch over the next few days," adds Scott.

By the time all is said and done, up to 20 cm could fall across southern Ontario.

"The system should end in time for the Monday morning commute for the GTA but road conditions will be poor," explains Weather Network meteorologist Dayna Vettese.

"Once the snow tapers, we're expecting cold, bitter air to flood the region, bringing gusts up to 50 km/h."

Be sure to check back for frequent updates on this storm and tune into The Weather Network on TV as we track its impact on the region.