Ontario's Weather Forecast Is Warning Of Heavy Rain Turning Into Snow This Weekend
Alerts for "significant rainfall" and snow accumulation have been issued.
People walking across a street in Toronto as it snows.
Ontario weather is featuring a battle between spring and winter storms this weekend with heavy rain and snow squalls in the forecast.
Alerts have now been issued for "significant rainfall" turning into snow across central and southern parts of the province.
Here's what you need to know about when these systems will impact you, along with how much rain and snow is expected!
The Weather Network has forecast that heavy rain will move into southern Ontario on Saturday, March 9 but the spring-like weather will be interrupted by "a quick return to winter."
Strong winds and a temperature drop will "fire up the lake-effect snow machine" on Sunday, March 10.
It's expected that the first system will track across the Great Lakes overnight on Friday and continue into Saturday.
Heavy rain is possible throughout the day on Saturday with the heaviest rain in the Greater Toronto Area expected by the afternoon hours, according to The Weather Network.
That rainfall should ease in the GTA by Saturday night.
Most of southern Ontario could get 20 to 50 millimetres of rain by the end of this spring storm.
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for southern and central Ontario because "significant rainfall is possible late today through Saturday."
Warnings could be put into place by Environment Canada as this storm system approaches the province.
According to The Weather Network, northwesterly winds will blow across the Great Lakes on Sunday and cause temperatures to dip which will set up snowfall.
Temperatures are expected to be cold enough that snow squalls develop over Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in the early morning hours on Sunday.
Squalls could drop 5 to 10 centimetres of accumulating snow to communities near Lake Huron and places in central Ontario.
Two to five centimetres of snow or just a dusting — less than two centimetres — is expected for southern parts of the province.
The Weather Network said "slick roads and lower visibility" as a result of the snow squalls will make it challenging to drive on Sunday.
Environment Canada alerted that rain is expected to turn into flurries on Saturday night in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket, Kitchener, Hamilton, and more places in the GTA.
Snowfall accumulation and blowing snow are possible on Sunday in Orangeville, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Sauble Beach, Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, Barrie, and more areas near Lake Huron.
There is also a risk of freezing rain and then snowfall accumulation in and around Ottawa, according to Environment Canada.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.