Lake-effect snow squalls have taken centre stage across parts of Ontario this week, with totals piling up through the traditional snowbelt regions. These snow squalls will slowly shift eastward and weaken through the day on Wednesday, though with tricky travel conditions still a concern for impacted areas.
RELATED: Great Lakes see a more than 500 per cent increase in ice coverage
Multiple weak low pressure systems have also pushed through the area, bringing bursts of snow and some lighter accumulations to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A more widespread system snow will take aim to end this week. While totals won’t be anything overly significant once again, it could be enough to slick up the roads and slow the commute at times. Drivers are urged to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
Beyond a brief weekend warm-up, the coldest temperatures of the season will flood the province through much of next week.
Baron – Weekend temperature pattern – Jan15
Rounds of system snow as we head into the weekend
The lake-effect snow will gradually taper in intensity through the day on Wednesday, with an additional 5-10 cm for some areas by the time it wraps up. The worst impacts will be largely in the snowbelts, where travel will be locally challenging.
DON’T MISS: Toronto’s no-show snow: when will a big storm finally arrive?
That will be ahead of a weak clipper system that will track across the south, bringing some light snow and a gusty wind on Thursday. A dusting to 3 cm of snow is expected across the GTA with this clipper.
Another low pressure system will move through Ontario Friday night through Saturday morning bringing a widespread snow, though with variable totals, to kick off the weekend.
Baron – Ontario Saturday precipitation forecast – Jan15
Between 5-10 cm of snow is forecast for northern and central Ontario, and areas along the Lake Huron shorelines, while less than 5 cm of snow is likely for the Highway 401 corridor. The snow could mix with rain near Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
A warm front will shift the winds to the south, which will bring in milder temperatures for a good chunk of the province. Saturday’s highs will range from +1°C to -3°C.
Sudden drop in temperatures as Arctic air floods in
Arctic air is expected for Sunday and most of next week, with the coldest conditions of the season set to flood through the province.
Baron – Ontario weekend temperature drop – Jan15
In parts of northern Ontario, the temperatures will drop about 24°C in just 24 hours, and roughly 30°C in 36 hours!
SEE ALSO: Polar vortex set to invade Canada and the U.S. with dangerous cold
The drop isn’t as extreme in southern Ontario, but most areas will see a noticeable 15°C drop from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning, with a 20°C plummet expected across central regions.
Baron – Ontario Monday temperatures – Jan15
The first cold day will be Sunday, with the Arctic air mass staying in place until Wednesday.
Several days of lake-effect snow are likely for the snowbelts next week, as well, but changeable winds should spread the snow over a larger region and prevent exceptional snow totals.
Baron – Ontario precipitation next week – Jan15
Some cold weather stats
For many areas, these will be the coldest conditions felt in years.
-
Kenora: Monday forecast of -28°C for a daytime high. This would be the first time plunging that low since January 2019
-
London: An overnight low temperature of -22°C will be the coldest since 2022
-
Ottawa: An overnight low temperature of -27°C will be the coldest since February 2023
-
Toronto: Tuesday’s daytime high of -15°C will be the coldest daytime high since January 2019
Colder-than-normal temperatures are expected to continue into the final week of January. As we approach the beginning of February, however, and progress through the first half of the month, much milder air will surge north into the eastern U.S. and attempt to push north of the border into the region. This will bring a milder pattern, but it is too early to know whether this will actually bring an extended period of early spring-like weather, or if this will bring messy storms with an active storm track across the region.
WATCH: Where are the big snows in Toronto this year?
Click here to view the video