Impressive slug of snow on tap in Ontario as March breakers return home
A sprawling Colorado low is on its way to Ontario in time for St. Patrick’s Day this Friday, bringing foul weather to much of the province through Saturday. The storm could potentially hamper travel as March break comes to a close and vacationers begin making their way home.
Parts of northern and central Ontario are in line for 30-50 cm of fresh snow from this system, prompting widespread winter storm watches for the region.
DON’T MISS: Ontario just lived through its darkest winter in 73 years
Unlike previous high-impact storms we’ve seen across Ontario in recent weeks, this low will track far enough north that its prolific snows will aim for northern and central sections of the province. Warmer temperatures to the south of the low’s centre will keep this a mostly rainy affair for southern Ontario.
We’ll see the precipitation begin to spread into Ontario on Thursday as the low reaches the Great Lakes, picking up in both coverage and intensity overnight into Friday. Wraparound snow will linger into the weekend.
This will be a long-duration heavy snowfall event for many areas under the winter storm watch.
“Snow may quickly accumulate and visibility may be significantly reduced at times,” Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said in its winter storm watch for the region, including the communities of Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay.
“Significant travel delays and road closures may occur,” ECCC added.
Locally strong winds between 70-80 km/h and snow will lead to whiteout conditions for roads and communities along the north and eastern shores of Lake Superior through Friday.
DON'T MISS: Ontario’s historical chances of snow on St. Patrick's Day
Some areas could see 30-50 cm of snow by the end of the storm, with drifting likely as a result of the strong winds.
Less snow is forecast across northern cottage country and eastern Ontario, with a transition to rain expected later Friday evening.
Ottawa could see around 5 cm of snow from this storm, but there’s still uncertainty around the Ottawa Valley as marginal temperatures and the storm’s precise track will affect how much snow can accumulate before the transition to rain. A continued northward trend would result in even less snow and a faster changeover to rain.
DON’T MISS: La Niña is finally over. What does it mean for Canada’s forecast?
Across southern Ontario, it looks as though some classic spring weather will win out with a soggy rain and a widespread 10-20 mm of rainfall forecast Thursday afternoon through Friday.
Just add it on to the winter tab, which racked up 168.6 mm of rain -- the rainiest winter on record for Toronto.
MUST SEE: Spring is near, but when should you take your winter tires off?
As the cold air wraps in behind the storm, periods of lake-effect snow are also likely on Saturday and Sunday, which could make for some difficult travel with periods of heavy snow and reduced visibilities in the snowbelts.
Cooler-than-seasonal temperatures are expected to dominate the rest of March, but with some milder days mixed in, as well.
WATCH: La Niña is done, but what does that mean for Canada's weather patterns?
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest on conditions across Ontario.
