STORM CENTRE: December 11-13, 2024

Austin Gagnier
Dec 13, 2024
2 min read

LAST UPDATE: 7:30 AM, December 12 2024

NEXT UPDATE: 1:00 PM, December 12 2024

Discussion

Another round of winter weather has set its sights on the region, bringing multiple types of precipitation beginning tomorrow, and a blast of arctic air for Thursday.

Rain will be the story for much of Eastern and Central Ontario to begin the day, as well as the GTA. By the evening hours, rain will begin mixing and transitioning over to snow. One concern for Wednesday evening into Thursday will be a rapid freeze-up, which may cause a flash freeze event due to a rapid drop in temperature, leading to black ice quickly forming on any wet roadways and sidewalks.

Another round of snow squalls will begin Wednesday evening into the overnight hours. These snow squalls are expected to continue through Thursday and into Friday, likely bringing significant snowfall to some areas.

The most impacted areas are expected to be within Midwestern and Central Ontario, where up to 50 centimetres of snow will be possible by Friday. Locally greater amounts will be possible, depending where these snow squalls set up.

This arctic blast will also bring wind chills likely near -20ºC Thursday, possibly colder in some areas. A future STORM CENTRE update will provide our outlook for these wind chills.

Strong wind gusts will develop Thursday, possibly over 70 km/h, leading to blowing and drifting snow. Whiteout conditions are expected in areas under snow squalls. Poor travel is expected along portions of Highway 6, Highway 11, Highway 21, Highway 21, Highway 26, Highway 93 and Highway 400. Travel is not recommended in these areas as it may become difficult, and possibly dangerous on Thursday due to the wind chill. Road closures will be possible.

Snow squalls are expected to begin weakening late Friday.

Snow Squall Outlook

NOTE: This outlook represents maximum potential snowfall expected. Local snowfall amounts may vary due to the nature of snow squalls. Higher and lower amounts will be possible.