A powerful winter storm is set to sweep through southern Ontario and parts of Atlantic Canada, bringing significant snowfall and treacherous conditions.
According to Environment Canada, major snowfall is expected to start on Wednesday afternoon, impacting areas including the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and extending to southern Quebec. The predictions suggest snowfall totals ranging from 15 to 40 cm, with the heaviest accumulations likely to occur overnight.
"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve," advises Environment Canada, underlining the potential perilous conditions for drivers. The worst of the snow is forecasted to hit during Wednesday evening, leading to hazardous rush hour traffic as snowfall rates could reach as high as 4 cm per hour.
Global News meteorologist Ross Hull noted, "A Texas low is passing through the Great Lakes, which is driving this storm system. Snowfall amounts could exceed expectations, particularly for areas north and east of Toronto, where totals may approach 40 cm near Ottawa and up to 30 cm around Barrie." He added, "With the current cold air mass, the precipitation will predominantly fall as snow, which will significantly impact cleanup efforts and visibility on the roads."
The worst of the storm will coincide with the Wednesday evening commute, raising concerns about safety as snow drifts and heavy visibility reductions are likely. Public Safety Canada cautions, "Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," as conditions may vary dramatically.
Along with heavy snow, parts of Ontario's southernmost regions, including along the Lake Erie shoreline, are also under a freezing rain warning. Hull warned, "There's some uncertainty as warm air may move with this system, bringing mixed precipitation for areas near Lake Ontario and Erie, which could significantly alter snowfall predictions."
A variety of school boards, such as the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, are on alert for possible bus cancellations, with officials noting, "Conditions dictate safety, and we must take every precaution." Education administrators are reconsidering long-standing practices as climate-related disruptions become increasingly common.
Mississauga and Brampton, areas heavily impacted by earlier storms, are again poised to receive significant snowfall. Environment Canada's latest snowfall warning highlights the possibility of 15 cm of snow for these regions, with warnings advising the public to prepare accordingly.
Hull emphasized the necessity of readiness for the impending storm's effects. "We will likely see poor visibility at times, with strong winds blowing the freshly fallen snow. Cleanup crews are expected to have difficulty keeping up due to the volume of precipitation anticipated during this storm," he said.
After the snow subsides on Thursday, additional storm systems moving from the U.S. may hit southern Ontario over the weekend, resulting in more snow accumulation. This pattern of repeated storms raises concerns about infrastructure resilience and public safety.
The City of Toronto has also declared a "major snow storm condition," which temporarily prohibits parking on designated snow routes to facilitate snow clearing. "When you get such significant amounts of snow and cold temperatures, we cannot rely on melting; we must actively remove snow from the streets," stated Barbara Gray, Toronto’s general manager of transportation services.
Officials urge residents to prepare for the storm, recommending the assembly of emergency kits, including food, medicine, and reliable forms of communication should power outages occur. Nova Scotia residents are also advised to brace for power loss as ice pellets and freezing rain outpace snowfall, raising concerns about road safety.
Residents across southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada are encouraged to monitor local forecasts and heed all warnings as this winter storm progresses over the next few days. With the potential for dangerous travel conditions, it is prudent to remain informed and cautious until the systems pass.