LAST UPDATE: 9:58 PM, March 3 2023
NEXT UPDATE: As Needed
Discussion
A winter storm will begin to move through the region Friday afternoon and push east through Friday evening and into Saturday. Rain is expected to begin in Southwestern Ontario early in the afternoon, before transitioning to snow.
This storm will bring widespread significant snowfall to the GTA, portions of Eastern Ontario, and portions of Midwestern Ontario. Strong wind gusts are expected to develop, potentially reaching up to 90 km/h in some areas. In combination with the falling snow, these strong wind gusts may create whiteout conditions and travel may become extremely hazardous. Due to the strong wind gusts, power outages will be possible, and road closures are expected due to whiteout conditions.
The evening commute is expected to be affected by the strong wind gusts and falling snow. At times, the snow may be very heavy across the region, however, the GTA may see snowfall rates reaching up to 5 centimeters per hour at times or greater. Southwestern Ontario may also see heavy snowfall throughout this event.
Thundersnow, a rare phenomena, is possible across Southwestern Ontario and the GTA during the heaviest snowfall rates.
The system will begin to move out of the region on Saturday afternoon.
Preparing an Emergency Kit
It is important to be prepared during winter storms. One of the best methods of preparation is to prepare an emergency kit. This kit can be very useful in the event that you lose power for several hours, or several days.
Wind Outlook
As stated, strong wind gusts are expected across the region and will create poor visibility across the region. We are expecting the strongest wind gusts this evening in Extreme Southwestern Ontario, but much of the region will see wind gusts from 50 to 90 km/h.
Area Breakdown
80 to 90 km/h: Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, Sarnia and St. Thomas.
70 to 80 km/h: London, Simcoe, Goderich, Brantford, Hamilton, Kincardine, Oakville, Toronto, Oshawa, Newmarket, Barrie, Owen Sound, Wiarton and Tobermory.
60 to 70 km/h: Cayuga, Welland, St. Catharines, Bracebridge, Peterborough, Brighton, Belleville, Kingston and Brockville.
50 to 60 km/h: Parry Sound, Huntsville, Bancroft, Barry's Bay, Cornwall and Ottawa.
Snowfall Outlook
The heaviest snow is expected for the GTA and portions of Eastern Ontario where we expect 25 to 30 cm. Snowfall amounts across the region may be reduced if ice pellets and/or rain mix in.
Area Breakdown
25 to 30 cm: Hamilton, Oakville, Toronto, Markham, Oshawa, Cobourg, Brighton, Belleville, Napanee and Kingston.
20 to 25 cm: St. Catharines, Brantford, Woodstock, Stratford, Kitchener, Listowel, Georgetown, Orangeville, Newmarket, Port Perry, Peterborough and Brockville.
15 to 20 cm: Welland, Cayuga, London, Sarnia, Wallaceburg, Seaforth, Goderich, Hanover, Shelburne, Collingwood, Barrie, Keswick, Orillia, Midland, Bancroft and Cornwall.
10 to 15 cm: Windsor, Leamington, Point Pelee, Chatham, St. Thomas, Simcoe, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Owen Sound, Bracebridge, Renfrew and Ottawa.
5 to 10 cm: Wiarton, Tobermory, Parry Sound, Huntsville and Barry's Bay.
Winter Storm Outlook
The highest impacts from this winter storm are expected through Midwestern Ontario, the GTA, and portions of Eastern Ontario. As snowfall rates may approach 6 centimeters or more, in combination with strong wind gusts, travel will become extremely hazardous and is not advised.
As stated, power outages are expected due to the strong wind gusts, possibly reaching 90 km/h or more in some areas. Blowing and drifting snow is also expected due to the strong winds, likely creating widespread whiteout conditions in many areas. Road closures are expected.
Travel delays are expected due to the rapidly accumulating snow and poor visibility.
Risk Breakdown
High: Toronto, Hamilton Goderich, Stratford, Hanover, Listowel, Woodstock, Brantford, Kitchener, Shelburne, Orangeville, Oakville, Newmarket, Oshawa, Cobourg, Kingston and Brockville.
Moderate: Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, Sarnia, London, St. Thomas, Simcoe, Cayuga, Welland, Kincardine, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Barrie, Midland, Bracebridge, Bancroft, Cornwall, Renfrew and Ottawa.
Elevated: Wiarton, Tobermory, Parry Sound, Huntsville and Barry's Bay.