Wintry system not done: windchill, squalls, more flurries

Monday, November 21, 2016, 8:24 PM - A Colorado low that dumped nearly 50 cm of snow on parts of northwestern Ontario isn't quite done with its pre-winter delivery just yet.

In the wake of the system, lake-effect snow continues off of the eastern Great lakes, while the main system snow has dumped at least 17 cm of snow so far over the National Capital region.

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• Snow squall watches and snowfall warnings in southern Ontario dropping off 
• Special weather statement in effect for GTA (Toronto, York, Durham); about 2 cm in lake-effect streamers possible into Tuesday morning
• Up to an additional 5 cm expected through eastern Ontario, including Ottawa 
• Next Colorado low to move into Ontario/Quebec Wednesday, bringing mixed precipitation and cloudy skies through Friday

Here's a look at what's to come.

WINTER IS HERE: With La Niña helping shape global patterns what will Canadians expect from winter? Find out with The Weather Network’s 2016 Winter Forecast | FORECAST & MAPS HERE

Nose-diving temperatures, lake-effect snow, & gusty winds

Snow squall watches remain in effect for areas south of Georgian Bay as northwest winds continue to blow across the warm water.

"There is some evidence of a slightly stronger band of flurries or a modest snow squall developing this evening to the southeast of Georgian Bay," says Environment Canada. "If it develops it would likely form from near Collingwood and affect communities to its south and southeast. Thus the snow squall watch remains in effect."

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Heavy squalls wreaked havoc with travel across southern Ontario on Sunday. In Middlesex County, OPP urged drivers to stay off the roads after a police cruiser was struck two times by passing motorists on Highway 402 east of Center road. The officer involved was sent to hospital for treatment of minor injuries and the drivers were charged with careless driving.

Even where snow has tapered off, the Monday morning commute was hampered by strong northwest wind gusts across the region, where gusts of 50 to 80 km/h whipped up freshly fallen snow and reduced visibility.

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Daytime highs on Tuesday will once again be near freezing, with windchills around minus 5 to minus 10. Sustained winds will be around 20 km/h, gusting to 40-50 km/h.

Eastern Ontario & Southern Quebec

Despite being farther from the lakes, eastern Ontario didn't escape the snow with this system -- the Colorado low was re-energized as it merged with another system off the coast.

Rain changed over to snow through Sunday, which is expected to continue into Tuesday morning. 

As of 5 p.m. Monday, Ottawa had picked up 17 cm of snow, with a couple more centimetres forecast before tapering off.

Snowfall warnings from Brockville to Pembroke are expected to drop off by Tuesday.

"Strong northwest winds gusting up to 60 km/h are accompanying the snow resulting in reduced visibility in some blowing snow," says Environment Canada. "Caution while driving is recommended."

Northwestern Ontario: Following the trail of the Colorado Low

The Colorado low began its trek across Ontario in the northwest on Thursday, leaving Friday a mess of snow and freezing rain across many travel routes in the northern part of the province.

The system dumped up to 30 cm of snow west of Thunder Bay during the day on Friday, with Upsala seeing a whopping 46 cm by Sunday night. Strong winds and blowing snow made for limited visibility and dangerous driving conditions, leading to some road closures across the region, along with power outages.

PHOTOS: See a visual breakdown of this storm's wintry trail through northwestern Ontario.

Winter storm and snowfall warnings ended by Sunday morning. Despite the reprieve, northwestern Ontario braces for another winter-like storm set to hit by mid-week.

Another Colorado Low on the horizon

Temperatures will continue to drop Tuesday across the province, with increasing cloud cover Wednesday before another Colorado Low moves in from the west, bringing mixed precipitation through the evening hours into Thursday.

"This system will weaken as it approaches the Great Lakes basin, so precipitation amounts are unlikely to be high," says The Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern. "Precipitation will begin Wednesday afternoon with wet snow or ice pellets for higher elevations. The Greater Toronto Area will start off with a wet snow mix Wednesday night. This will change over to primarily rain for the region overnight into Thursday morning, but will continue as snow for higher terrain. Expect a cloudier day Thursday with isolated showers in southern Ontario."

Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.

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