Heavy Snowfall Expected in Parts of Southern Ontario

Environment Canada is warning that parts of southern Ontario could see significant snowfall accumulation between 20 to 40 centimetres or more by Sunday. The snowfall is expected to be intensified by lake effect snow from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, with conditions becoming heavier throughout Saturday.

Areas under a snow squall warning include Newmarket, Georgina, northern York Region, Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Uxbridge, Beaverton, northern Durham Region, and Orillia. Environment Canada has advised that more than 40 centimetres of snow is possible if the snow squalls persist in one area. Heavy and blowing snow may cause visibility to be reduced to near zero, prompting a recommendation to postpone non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Snow squalls are expected to lessen in intensity by Sunday. In Bracebridge and Gravenhurst to the north, a snow squall warning is also in effect, with 15 to 25 centimetres of snow or more anticipated to begin falling on Saturday afternoon.

While Toronto is not currently under a weather warning, the city has opened warming centres in preparation for dropping temperatures. Overnight temperatures reached -4 C, with a forecasted high of -2 C on Saturday. Windchill may make temperatures feel as low as -13 C.

Earlier this week, Environment Canada had cautioned that snow squalls could result in up to 60 centimetres of snow in areas north of the Greater Toronto Area.