A burst of wet snow will coincide with the Monday morning commute across parts of southern Ontario, promising to make for some slick and slow travel throughout the region. Be sure to check highway conditions and local weather alerts before heading out to start your day.
Folks around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can expect a period of wet snow to develop late Sunday evening around midnight, March 23. However, a period of ice pellets and freezing rain could mix in as warmer air flows into the area. A few centimetres of snow could fall around the GTA, where temperatures will hover near the freezing mark. In locations away from Lake Ontario and at higher terrain, up to 5 cm of snow from this event is expected by early Monday.
Looking east, a more disorganized system will move into areas like Ottawa during the overnight hours into Monday. Generally, total accumulations of 3 to 5 cm are anticipated for most spots in eastern Ontario through Monday, but locally higher amounts up to 10 cm are possible.
The forecast doesn't get much better, with temperatures set to jump above freezing on Monday, causing the snow that has accumulated to struggle to stick around. This brief warmer spell will not last long, as temperatures drop back to freezing Monday night.
For those hoping for a snowy setting, cottage country and northeastern Ontario will deliver. Moderate snowfall will develop in these regions through the pre-dawn hours of Monday, with certain areas around Georgian Bay experiencing periods of heavy snowfall. Accumulation in these areas will range between 5 to 10 cm, and again, local variations may yield heavier totals.
Caution will be warranted as brisk southerly winds are expected, with gusts reaching up to 70 km/h along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay after sunset on March 23. This blustery weather will persist across southern Ontario through Monday, bringing gusts of 60 to 70 km/h to the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Following the departure of the system, wrap-around snow is projected to continue in the snowbelt regions, but will be disorganized in nature.
For those who enjoy winter activities, it seems that spring will be taking its time this year. Below-seasonal temperatures are expected to persist across southern Ontario leading into the final week of March, and might linger into the opening days of April.
The preceding weekend of March 23 featured a brief appearance of spring sunshine, but that was short-lived. Skies were sunny with light winds of 15 km/h, and the area reached a daytime high of just 1 C, although wind chill made it feel more like –10 C. The ultraviolet (UV) index climbed to a moderate 4, prompting Environment Canada to advise residents to protect their skin when levels are moderate or higher.
On Sunday evening, significant changes occurred as a mix of snow and rain moved across southern Ontario, affecting cities like Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton, and Durham. With snow expected to start just before midnight, accumulation of 2 to 4 cm was possible, and as temperatures remained below freezing, wet roads could easily become slick and hazardous.
As the weekend turned into the following week, residents can expect unsettled weather on Monday, March 24. With a 40 percent chance of scattered showers, winds will shift from the southeast to southwest, strengthening up to 30 km/h with gusts reaching 50 km/h. Despite predicted daytime highs of 6 C, temperatures will drop to around 4 C in the afternoon, and dewfalls may lead to further rain in the evening.
By Tuesday, March 25, the forecast remains cool and cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries or rain. Afternoon highs will reach only 1 C, and the day will end with cloudy periods before dropping down to –4 C overnight.
Looking ahead, the week will continue to deliver chillier conditions. Wednesday, March 26, forecasts a mix of sun and cloud with temperatures hovering around 1 C during the day. Clear skies at night will bring temperatures down to –3 C.
On Thursday, March 27, the area can expect a slight warm up with the daytime high projected at 6 C and a mix of sun and clouds. As night approaches, the forecast anticipates more cloud cover but relatively mild temperatures around 1 C.
Friday, March 28, is once again forecasted to usher in grey skies with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high of 3 C. The cloudy conditions are expected to linger into the weekend.
To cap off the week on Saturday, March 29, there's potential for freezing rain as temperatures hover near 1 C, although they might climb slightly in the evening to 2 C as precipitation continues. Residents are encouraged to stay alert for updates as conditions are expected to continue changing.
