LAST UPDATE: 12:00 PM EST, January 26 2023
NEXT UPDATE: Not Scheduled
***THIS STORM WATCH HAS NOW ENDED.***
Discussion
A Texas low will bring snow to Southwestern Ontario on Wednesday morning and will push east throughout the day. By the late afternoon or early evening, the snow will reach the Ottawa Valley.
The greatest snowfall totals are expected in the Ottawa Valley. Although Southwestern Ontario will see less snowfall by the end of the system, there will be times of heavy snow, especially during the afternoon commute on Wednesday. Heavy snow is expected through Eastern Ontario during the morning commute on Thursday.
There is the potential for lake enhancement across the GTA due to strong wind gusts of 50 to 60 km/h off Lake Ontario. Blowing and drifting snow is also expected through the GTA due those wind gusts, and may reduce visibility at times.
Poor travel conditions are expected across the region on Wednesday, particularly during the afternoon and evening commute due to accumulating snow and the potential for reduced visibility.
There is also the potential for mixed precipitation, including rain or freezing rain, for the Niagara region, which may reduce snowfall totals. Additionally, there is the possibility of dry air moving in and reducing snowfall amounts in the GTA, and the Niagara region. This makes it rather difficult to forecast snowfall accumulations at times, and we will likely not know if snowfall totals will be reduced until the snow begins to fall.
As the low moves out of the region on Thursday morning, some snow is expected to move into the region for the morning commute. Blowing and drifting snow is also possible. Those details will be shared in a future STORM WATCH update.
Snowfall Outlook
As stated, the largest snowfall accumulations are expected in the Ottawa Valley. Lower snowfall amounts are expected through parts of Central Ontario, the Bruce Peninsula, and the Niagara region.
There is the potential for lake enhancements in the GTA which may increase snowfall totals, and there is the potential for mixed precipitation in the Niagara region, which may reduce snowfall totals.
Area Breakdown:
20 to 25 cm: Ottawa, Carleton Place, Ottawa Valley and Bancroft.
15 to 20 cm: Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville, Cobourg, Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Markham. Newmarket and Peterborough.
10 to 15 cm: Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, London, Brantford, Simcoe, Goderich, Kitchener-Waterloo, Kincardine, Orangeville, Owen Sound, Barrie, Midland, Orillia, Bracebridge and Huntsville.
5 to 10 cm: Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Wiarton, Tobermory and Parry Sound.
Winter Storm Outlook
The High (purple) risk covers the GTA and Eastern Ontario. These areas will likely see blowing and drifting snow, and as stated, the GTA may see lake enhancement with higher snowfall totals. Poor driving conditions and poor visibility is expected Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning
The Moderate (violet) risk covers the rest of the region, through Southwestern and Midwestern Ontario. These areas will see heavy snow, and travel may become difficult due to the rapidly accumulating snow. Poor visibility is also possible due to the heavy snow. Poor driving conditions are expected Wednesday afternoon and evening. There is the potential for snow and blowing snow for the Thursday morning commute.
Travel Outlook
For Wednesday morning, snow will move into Southwestern Ontario, including Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, London and Simcoe. Caution should be exercised on roads as slippery conditions are possible and snow covered roads are expected. Highways 3, 4, 40, 77, 401 and 402 are expected to be impacted.
By Wednesday afternoon, poor travel conditions are expected across Southwestern Ontario, the GTA, and the Golden Horseshoe. Heavy snow and strong wind gusts are expected in these areas. Highways 401, 402, 403, 406, the QEW, and the Gardiner Expressway are expected to be impacted.
The rest of the region will see conditions that require some caution to be taken, as snow will be falling, and poor visibility is possible.
School Bus Cancellations
Closings and Cancellations
Road Closures