Ontario's Winter Storm Is Just Ramping Up & Here's What The Day Has In Store
Heavy rainfall and up to 25 centimetres of snow are in the forecast. ❄️🌧
A person walks through snow in Ontario.
Ontario's first major winter storm of the season is getting started, bringing with it heavy rain, snow, freezing rain, and hazardous travel conditions.
According to Ontario's weather forecast, a Texas low is bringing a slew of precipitation types to the province on Tuesday, with some areas set to see up to 25 centimetres of snow.
With winter storm warnings and special weather statements in place for the province, here's what you need to know about the Ontario winter storm.
According to The Weather Network, light snow filtering in through the GTA will turn into a heavy wet snow by mid to late morning on January 9, eventually extending toward the Ottawa Valley and northeastern sections of the province by the afternoon.
Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather outlet is predicting that Toronto could see 5-15 centimetres of snow, while areas like Peterborough, Port Perry and Guelph could see totals of 15-20 centimetres, while Orangeville could see up to 25 centimetres.
Unfortunately, this will be "heavy wet snow that's hard to shovel," as temperatures hang close to freezing.
Drivers are being urged to expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly.
\xf0\x9f\x93\xa2 UPDATE\n\nA current \xf0\x9f\x91\x80 at the ALERTS for southern ON due to a winter storm:\n\n\xe2\x9a\xa0\xef\xb8\x8f Winter Storm Warning\n\xe2\x9d\x84\xef\xb8\x8f Snowfall Warning\n\xf0\x9f\x92\xa7 Rainfall Warning\n\xf0\x9f\x9a\x97 \xe2\x9d\x84\xef\xb8\x8f Winter weather travel advisory\n\xf0\x9f\x92\xa7 Special Weather Statement\n\nFind all the alerts \xf0\x9f\x91\x89 https://t.co/IRPbed8yu8\n\n#ONStorm #ONwx— (@)
As we move through the day, the snow is expected to transition to heavy rainfall in southern Ontario. According to TWN, areas that quickly change over from snow to rain include the Niagara Peninsula and shorelines of Lakes Erie and Huron where "snowfall amounts will be much lower."
GTA cities closest to the lake shores "may transition to rainfall first by late Tuesday afternoon," says the weather outlet, although some higher elevations, including 400-series highways such as the 401, 407 and 400, may hold onto heavy snow that may accumulate up to 20 centimetres.
Areas like Orangeville and Shelburne will transition through the evening after receiving 15-20 centimetres of snow, says TWN. For Ottawa and eastern parts of the province, there's the possibility of residents seeing a period of ice pellets and freezing rain before the precipitation changes to rain.
Environment Canada has issued several rainfall warnings for Ontario, including for Hamilton, Toronto and Elgin County.
"Significant rainfall is expected. The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall," reads the advisory for the City of Toronto.
The advisory notes that rainfall amounts of 20-35 millimetres is possible, beginning Tuesday afternoon and ending late this evening or overnight.
The advisory warns that localized flooding and ponding of water on roads is possible.
As the system heads out, there will be gusty conditions across the province Tuesday night and into Wednesday, with 60+ km/h winds forecast for Toronto.
Unfortunately, it looks like the winter weather is going to continue for Ontario with a clipper system moving in on Thursday and a colder system on Friday that's predicted to bring in widespread heavy snow and some of the coldest air of the season, so keep the shovels handy!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.