Residents across the Greater Toronto Area woke up to a wintry scene on Sunday, with snow-covered lawns and slushy streets marking the arrival of colder weather. However, this appears to be just a mild preview compared to the significant snowfall expected to hit other parts of southern Ontario.
Snowfall Warnings Blanket Southern Ontario
While the GTA was largely spared from a major snowstorm, Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for a vast stretch of the province. These warnings remain in effect throughout the weekend, indicating hazardous conditions for travel. The most severe impacts are predicted for an area extending from Sault Ste. Marie east to Chalk River and south to Walpole Island on Lake St. Clair, where accumulations of five to 20 centimetres are forecasted.
Local Impact in the Greater Toronto Area
Within the GTA, conditions varied. Cities like Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton were expected to receive a more moderate two to four centimetres of snow, accompanied by powerful wind gusts reaching up to 70 km/h. Meanwhile, Markham and parts of Durham Region were under a yellow-coded snowfall warning under Environment Canada's new colour alert system.
This yellow alert signifies that moderate, localized, and/or short-term hazardous weather is expected, which could lead to travel disruption, damage, or health impacts. Areas on higher ground north of Lake Ontario could see accumulations of five centimetres or more.
Challenging Travel and Previous Accumulations
The weather agency is cautioning that visibility may be significantly reduced in areas under warning, making travel challenging. This new snow adds to the substantial accumulations from last week, where multiple rounds of snow dumped close to 60 centimetres off Lake Huron. Regions west of Kitchener already received nearly 30 centimetres, setting the stage for a difficult winter travel season.
The snow was expected to change to flurries across most areas by later on Sunday, offering some respite. Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts from Environment Canada and adjust their travel plans accordingly.
