STORM CENTRE: February 12-13, 2025

LAST UPDATE: 11:50 AM, February 12 2025

NEXT UPDATE: Not Scheduled

***THIS STORM CENTRE IS NO LONGER ACTIVE AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR HOME PAGE.***

Discussion

A highly impactful winter storm has set its sights on Southern Ontario, with hazards including heavy snowfall, strong wind gusts, and the potential for freezing rain.

Snow will begin moving into Southwestern Ontario Wednesday afternoon, likely around 1 PM. The snow will move eastward through the afternoon, reaching the Toronto area between 4 and 5 PM, just in time for the evening commute. The drive home Wednesday is expected to be slow and hazardous due to accumulating snowfall.

In Central and Eastern Ontario, the snow won't begin until Wednesday evening, likely between 8 and 9 PM. The snow in these areas will continue through the overnight hours and much of the day Thursday. Snowfall totals in these areas are expected to reach 30 to 35 centimetres.

Areas near the shoreline of Lake Erie have the potential to see snow transition to a wintry mix, including freezing rain, before changing back over to snow.

Strong wind gusts, possibly over 60 km/h, are expected Wednesday, leading to blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility as the snow falls. Some gusty winds may move in again for Thursday, leading to further blowing and drifting snow. Road closures are expected, especially by Wednesday night and through Thursday, as roads may become impassable due to strong wind gusts combined with accumulating snowfall.

The heaviest snowfall is expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday, with snowfall rates of 2 centimetres per hour or higher. The morning commute will be impacted on Thursday as snow continues accumulating for many areas, and road crews may have a difficult time clearing all roadways as many areas will see snowfall rates of 2 centimetres per hour or higher just before the morning commute on Thursday.

Thursday is expected to bring many closings and cancellations across the region, and many areas will be digging out following the snowfall.