Ontario gets relief from the cold, but more snow will filter in
After weeks of sub-zero temperatures, a warm-up is finally on the way for Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the possibility of reaching 0°C. However, the warm-up will come with snow and the tricky travel it could bring
While southern Ontario finally snaps out of the extended period of frigid cold this week, the winter weather will roll on strong with a bout of fresh snow on Tuesday.
The poorly timed snow will likely impact Tuesday morning and afternoon commutes, depending on locale. The heaviest snowfall will be centred in eastern and central Ontario, where 10-15 cm could add up.
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Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Allow extra time for travel.
Thankfully, we're finally seeing an end to the cold stretch come Tuesday, a period that lasted in Toronto for 22 days in a row as of Feb. 8.
Burst of snow Tuesday opens Ontario to seasonal temperatures
A clipper system is forecast to sweep across the province on Tuesday, bringing a burst of snow across the snowbelts and Golden Horseshoe throughout the morning hours. The snow could impact morning commutes for some, especially around the snowbelts where heavier snow is forecast.
There is the chance for some light freezing rain or ice pellets along the warm front as it slides through southern Ontario during the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday morning, creating some isolated, slick conditions in the southwest.
The system will lift north into eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, by the afternoon. Folks can expect 10-15 cm of snowfall by Wednesday morning.
As the system lifts northward, we'll see a near-seasonal air mass lift into the province behind it.
Daytime temperatures on Tuesday are forecast to rise above zero on Tuesday for southwestern Ontario. Toronto may also see the thermometer rise above zero on Tuesday, ending the city's sub-zero cold streak. Southwestern Ontario will likely climb above the freezing mark by a few degrees.
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The rest of the province, including parts of northern Ontario, will also see a welcome, seasonal warm-up. Temperatures will still be below zero but will be much more bearable for anyone spending time outdoors.
On Wednesday, temperatures will still be cold enough for continued, scattered snowflurries off Lake Huron with some snow that could also accompany the trough swinging passed.
Blustery winds are forecast as a trough swings through central and southern Ontario, with gusts 40-60 km/h so watch for blowing snow, and hazardous travel at times with slick roads and reduced visibility.
A retrograding low over Quebec may spread some snow across parts of central and eastern Ontario late week.
Forecasters are also keeping an eye on Sunday-Monday for a developing low in the U.S. Track still highly uncertain but it may creep close to southern Ontario. Check back if you have travel plans on those days.
Also, looking toward the end of the week, we could see temperatures fall back into slightly below-seasonal territory. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on the potential for an active pattern to develop during mid- to late February.
Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on your forecast across Ontario.