Travel alert: Roads will quickly deteriorate with Friday's snow in Ontario
Southern Ontario will face rapidly deteriorating travel conditions Friday afternoon, with 5–15 cm of snow, gusty winds, and freezing temperatures likely creating icy, slippery roads heading into the evening
Travel conditions in southern Ontario are expected to deteriorate rapidly from west to east through Friday afternoon, coinciding with after-school commutes and the start of March Break travel.
Snowfall rates may reach 2–3 cm/h, combined with wind gusts of 50–60 km/h. Roads are likely to become snow-covered and slippery within a short period.
DON'T MISS: The Storm of the Century spawned historic snows, destructive twisters
Most areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can anticipate 5–10 cm of snow, with the higher amounts expected north of Highway 407/401.
Forecasters are closely watching another system that could affect the province later this weekend.
Terribly timed snow for Friday's commute home in southern Ontario
A clipper system will bring snow to central and southern Ontario on Friday, starting with morning flurries in areas from Windsor to London.
Snow will reach the GTA around midday, though initial flurries could melt upon contact due to recent mild temperatures. The heaviest snowfall in the GTA is expected in the afternoon, with accumulation picking up on untreated surfaces by evening.
By Friday evening, heavier snow will shift eastward toward Oshawa, Peterborough, and Kingston, while light rain may mix in along the lakeshore from Toronto to Hamilton, reducing totals in those areas.
SEE ALSO: A potentially strong El Niño will develop by this summer
Wind gusts up to 90 km/h are expected in areas including Windsor, the Lake Erie shoreline, and across the Niagara Peninsula, with blowing snow and bursts of heavier snow in the GTA and beyond through Saturday morning.
Snowfall will move into Ottawa late Friday evening, continuing into Saturday morning, with light lake-effect snow lingering around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay into the pre-dawn hours.
Travellers in the GTA, Ottawa, and eastern Ontario should prepare for slowdowns and reduced visibility Friday afternoon into Saturday morning. Strong winds could lead to power outages in areas with above-ground lines.
Most of the GTA is expected to receive 5–10 cm of snow, with areas closer to Lake Ontario seeing the lower amounts. Snow accumulations of 10–15+ cm are anticipated north of Highways 401 and 407. The Niagara region will see 3–7 cm of snow.
SEE ALSO: The hottest place on Earth is experiencing a wildflower superbloom
Though some snow melt is expected, a drop to below-freezing temperatures overnight Friday will cause any remaining slush to freeze, potentially leading to icy conditions.
Looking ahead, we’ll see a brief break from the active weather on Saturday with below-seasonal temperatures. Forecasters will closely monitor the progress of a powerful weekend storm in the works, which could bring more impactful snow and rain to the region. This storm has the potential to close many roads across northeastern Ontario, including an extended stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway.