50 centimetres of snow expected in some parts of southern Ontario this week

A multi-day lake effect snow squall could bring up to 50 centimetres of snow in some parts of southern Ontario this week.

The snow squall event is expected to start Thursday night in areas just north of the GTA, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

An alert Wednesday, the first snow event of the season, was updated on Thursday morning.

A snow squall watch is in effect in Orangeville, Shelburne, Mansfield and northern Dufferin County.

Snow squall warnings are in effect in the Muskoka area including Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, the Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach, Tobermory, Haliburton, Minden, southern Haliburton County, southern Grey County, Owen Sound, the Blue Mountains, northern Grey County and the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Watches are issued when there is the potential for severe weather. Warnings are issued when that severe weather is actually occurring or is imminent.

The lake-effect snow off Lake Huron is forecast to develop Thursday night and persist through the weekend and into early next week, Environment Canada states in the warning.

Snowfall accumulations could exceed 15 centimetres by Friday night in some areas.

As is common with lake effect snow, snowfall amounts will be highly variable.

“Some areas may receive in excess of 50 cm by the end of the weekend,” the warning notes.

Road closures are possible this weekend, especially over areas that receive multiple snow squall bands.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.

“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” Environment Canada suggests.

Snow squall watches as warnings are in effect for areas east of the Great Lakes and Lake Nipigon.

Hazardous travel is expect for areas east of Superior today and then beginning this evening for areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.#ONwx #ONstorm pic.twitter.com/3ZJQTXcT61

— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) November 28, 2024

Lead Photo: johnNaturePhotos