Southern Ontario is bracing for yet another wintry blast as lake-effect snow squalls from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay continue to pummel the region on Friday.
Following a turbulent Thursday marked by heavy snowfall and strong winds that caused hazardous driving conditions and power outages for thousands, crews worked tirelessly through the night to restore services.
Forecasters predict that the region will see northwest winds gusting between 40 and 60 km/h throughout Friday morning, stirring up blowing snow and maintaining sharp wind chills. Two main squall bands are anticipated to form, each targeting specific areas.
One band is projected to move southeast from Lake Huron, cutting across Highway 21 near Goderich and extending towards Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Stratford, Woodstock, and Brantford. Motorists along Highways 401 and 403 should be prepared for sudden whiteouts and accumulating snow, with the squall occasionally reaching Hamilton and Brantford.
“This will be a long-lasting event with snow squalls likely lingering into Saturday morning, especially near Lake Huron. Strong westerly winds gusting up to 70 km/h are also expected, significantly reducing visibility due to local blowing snow,” stated Environment Canada.
Meanwhile, a second squall band from Georgian Bay is set to track directly into Barrie, Lake Simcoe, and along Highway 400 towards the northeast Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Oshawa. Areas outside the main squall zones can expect scattered flurries throughout the morning, with the squalls forecasted to weaken and dissipate by Friday evening, although some intermittent bursts may persist into early Saturday.
Toronto is anticipated to escape the worst of Friday’s squalls, with possible flurries still in the forecast.