More widespread snow hits Ontario ahead of coldest conditions in years

Lake-effect snow showers have taken center stage across parts of Ontario this week, with totals piling up through the traditional snow belt regions. These snow showers will slowly shift to the east and weaken during Wednesday, but with difficult travel conditions there is still concern for the affected areas.

Several weak low pressure systems have also pushed through the area, bringing snow flurries and some lighter accumulations to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A more widespread snow system will aim to end this week. While the totals won’t be too significant again, it could be enough to thin the roads and slow the commute at times. Drivers are encouraged to prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.

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In addition to a brief weekend warm-up, the coldest temperatures of the season will flood the province through most of next week. In some areas these will be the coldest conditions for years.

Rounds of system snow as we head into the weekend

The lake-effect snow will gradually decrease in intensity throughout the day on Wednesday, with another 5-10 cm for some areas as it ends. The worst impacts will largely be in the snow bands where travel will be locally challenging.

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It will be ahead of a weak rock system that will track across the south, bringing some snow and a gusty wind on Thursday. Up to 3 cm of snow is expected to fall across the GTA with this mower.

Another low pressure system will move through Ontario Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing widespread snow, albeit with varying totals, to start the weekend.