Hopefully you’ll get a chance to get outside in southern Ontario on Thursday as plenty of sunshine and a grand finale of fall temperatures in the low 20s swept across the region. While Friday’s daytime highs will remain mild, rain will apply during the afternoon hours before a quick change to more December-like feelings over the weekend. Falling temperatures and snowy conditions are expected across the region next week, including heavy lake-effect snow flurries in traditional snow belt regions. This will be the first major, multi-day snow event of the season, so drivers are asked to prepare for changing and deteriorating conditions. See more information on weather and impacts below.
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This weekend: Seasons change as mild rain gives way to cold temperatures and snow
Prepare for a change of seasons in Southern Ontario as we move from warmer temperatures and rain influenced by the remnants of Hurricane Nicole to the arrival of cold temperatures and lake effect snow flurries in time for the weekend.
We have increased high temperatures for this afternoon across the GTA; Some spots could even reach 20C, probably for the last time in 2022; Enjoy the September weather today! Rain arrives midday Friday and then turns much colder this weekend; A taste of early December next week #onwx pic.twitter.com/mBxsoM9p7R
We have increased high temperatures for this afternoon across the GTA; Some spots could even reach 20C, probably for the last time in 2022; Enjoy the September weather today! Rain arrives midday Friday and then turns much colder this weekend; A taste of early December next week Doug Gillham on Twitter: “We’ve got temps up this afternoon across the GTA – some spots could even reach 20C, likely last time in 2022 – savor the weather like Sept. today! Rain arrives midday Friday then turns much colder this weekend; A taste of early December next week #onwx pic.twitter.com/mBxsoM9p7R / Twitter” Doug Gillham on Twitter: ” We’ve increased high temperatures this afternoon across the GTA; Some spots could even reach 20C, likely for the last time in 2022; Savor the September-like weather today! Rain arrives Friday midday and then turns much heavier cold this weekend; A taste of early December next week #onwx pic.twitter.com/mBxsoM9p7R / Twitter”
— Doug Gillham (@gtaweather1) Doug Gillham on Twitter: “We’ve got rising temps for this afternoon across the GTA; Some spots could even reach 20C, likely for the last time in 2022; Savor the September-like weather. today ! Rain arrives midday Friday then turns much colder this weekend; A taste of early December next week #onwx pic.twitter.com/mBxsoM9p7R / Twitter”
Daytime highs will still be warm on Friday, albeit at the end of a stretch of mild fall weather, but with rain spreading across southern parts of the region as Nicole’s remnants continue to push toward the north A steady soak is expected through the afternoon hours on Friday.
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15 to 25 mm of rain is expected in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and 30 to 50 mm or more in the Niagara region and eastern Ontario when it tapers off on Saturday.
Conditions will also turn stormy and much colder behind the front, with flurries and lake-effect snow flurries expected to develop southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay late Saturday and Sunday. This will be the first multi-day snowfall event of the season.
FORECAST: Winter storm builds in Northern Ontario with heavy snow and ice accumulations
The most affected areas could locally see between 10 and 20 cm of snow.
Widespread colder-than-seasonal conditions will dominate next week and beyond, with another boost of arctic air and more typical early December temperatures at times.
This should bring additional lake effect snow to the traditional snow belt areas east and southeast of the Great Lakes.
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Parts of the GTA could even see flakes flying across the sky, and while no accumulations are expected because the ground is still warm, it will serve as a reminder that winter is on its way.
Heavy snow and ice spread across northern Ontario, hazardous travel continues into Friday
Meanwhile, much of Northern Ontario has already experienced some shocking winter weather this week, with heavy snow, ice and freezing rain continuing for many communities throughout the day on Friday.
The combination of snow, strong winds and ice accumulation on exposed surfaces could make for hazardous travel in the region during the storm.
It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm
It’s freezing rain… thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter” thatrezteacher on Twitter: “Freezing rain is… #ONStorm @ ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter” thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter ” thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter” thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @ weathernetwork #yqt # tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter” thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter”
— thatrezteacher (@Strobus15) thatrezteacher on Twitter: “It’s freezing rain… #ONStorm @ONWeatherWatch @weathernetwork #yqt #tbay pic.twitter.com/GdTKL8WIwm / Twitter”
By the time Saturday morning is over, some of the hardest hit areas could end up with 40 cm of snow or ice accumulation of 5 to 10 mm or more.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said in some of the winter warnings issued for the region. “Surfaces such as roads, highways, walkways and parking lots can be difficult to navigate due to snow accumulation. Visibility can be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates in Ontario.