Ontario is gearing up for a bout of wintry conditions this week, as meteorologists predict substantial snowfall in the north and lake-effect squalls impacting southern regions as November wraps up.
Although the main brunt of the system will hit the northern areas, southern Ontario won’t be spared from its effects.
As we head into Thursday, a surge of Arctic air will sweep through the Great Lakes Basin, causing temperatures to plunge and intense winds of 60–80 km/h to blow through. These gusts are anticipated to drive lake-effect snow squalls towards the snowbelt areas downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, with even the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) likely to experience bouts of heavy snow.
Travel in the snowbelt regions on Thursday and Friday may be hazardous, as whiteout conditions are expected during squall activity.
Toronto’s outlook shows rain in the middle of the week followed by a sharp temperature drop. This shift is due to the polar vortex starting to waver. The polar vortex acts as a barrier of strong winds that traps cold air near the poles. However, when disturbances like “SSW” or sudden stratospheric warming occur, the vortex weakens, allowing cold air to move southward.
The disruption in the polar vortex is being triggered by early-season events like “SSW,” which are relatively rare this time of year. Additionally, the current La Niña phenomenon is contributing to the shift towards colder weather.
Looking ahead, Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 9°C, while Tuesday will bring clouds and showers with a high of 9°C. Wednesday will see cloudy conditions with showers transitioning to a rain/snow mix in the evening, and gusty winds picking up.
Thursday is forecasted to be cloudy with blowing snow at times, windy, with a daytime high of 1°C. Heavy flurries are expected overnight. A developing low-pressure system from Lake Superior is set to merge with an Alberta clipper, triggering widespread snow through Thursday and creating hazardous travel conditions in northern Ontario.
Keyphrase: Winter weather Ontario