Multi-Day Snowfall & Freezing Rain Event Targets Ontario This Week Says Environment Canada
/A complex and potentially high-impact winter storm is set to affect portions of Ontario this week, bringing a mix of snow, freezing rain, and difficult travel conditions over several days. While there is still some uncertainty regarding the exact track and intensity of this system, below are the details from Environment Canada’s latest forecast.
Monday: Snow & Freezing Rain for Central & Eastern Ontario
A low-pressure system tracking across Ontario will bring up to 10 cm of snowfall to parts of central and eastern Ontario on Monday. In the afternoon, there is also a risk of freezing rain or freezing drizzle, which could make roadways slick and hazardous.
Hazard: Snow and possible freezing rain
Location: Central and eastern Ontario
Timing: Monday
Confidence Level: Moderate
Potential Impacts: Slippery roads and difficult travel conditions
While this system is not expected to be particularly severe, even a light glaze of ice on top of fresh snowfall can make for treacherous road conditions. Drivers should allow extra time for travel and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Wednesday Evening: Freezing Rain Targets Southwestern Ontario
By midweek, another low-pressure system is expected to track across southern Ontario, bringing the potential for freezing rain across portions of southwestern Ontario. Ice accumulations of 5 to 10 mm could occur, significantly increasing the risk of hazardous road conditions.
Hazard: Freezing rain
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Timing: Wednesday evening
Confidence Level: Low (track and timing uncertain)
Potential Impacts: Significant impacts on rush hour traffic and difficult travel conditions
At this point, uncertainty remains high regarding the exact location and duration of the freezing rain event. However, if ice accumulation reaches the higher end of projections, travel disruptions and potential power outages could be a concern. Stay tuned for updates as more details become available.
Overnight Wednesday into Thursday: Freezing Rain for Southern Ontario
As the system continues moving east, freezing rain may expand into portions of southern Ontario overnight Wednesday and continue into Thursday afternoon. Ice accumulation of up to 5 mm is possible, leading to potentially treacherous conditions during the Thursday morning commute.
Hazard: Freezing rain
Location: Southern Ontario
Timing: Wednesday overnight into Thursday afternoon
Confidence Level: Low (track and amounts still uncertain)
Potential Impacts: Significant travel disruptions during morning rush hour
With temperatures hovering near the freezing mark, even a thin layer of ice could make roads extremely slippery. If the system strengthens, some areas could experience prolonged freezing rain, increasing the likelihood of ice buildup on roads, trees, and power lines.
Thursday: Snow & Ice for Northern Ontario
While southern Ontario deals with freezing rain, northern regions will likely see a combination of snow and ice on Thursday. Areas in eastern and northeastern Ontario could see up to 15 cm of snowfall, along with a risk of freezing rain.
Hazard: Snow and freezing rain
Location: Portions of southern and northern Ontario
Timing: Thursday
Confidence Level: Low
Potential Impacts: Difficult travel conditions, slippery roads, and potential power outages
As with earlier parts of this system, uncertainty remains about the exact track and timing, which will determine snowfall amounts and areas most affected by ice.
Final Thoughts: Stay Alert & Prepare for Winter Hazards
While there’s still uncertainty about exact details, this system has the potential to create dangerous travel conditions across multiple days. With the possibility of accumulating snow, freezing rain, and icy roads, anyone traveling this week should stay informed and plan ahead.
✔️ Check for updates – Weather forecasts will continue to shift and change as new data becomes available.
✔️ Prepare for icy conditions – If freezing rain materializes, roads could become extremely slick, and power outages may occur.
✔️ Allow extra time for travel – Winter storms can lead to slower commutes and dangerous driving conditions.
As always, we’ll be watching this system closely and providing updates as more details emerge. Stay safe and keep an eye on our free Instant Weather app for real-time notifications!
Disclaimer: These forecasts are issued by Environment Canada and typically published via their Twitter/X accounts. We receive these forecast via a daily email and often publish them for our communities to see. We also zoom them in and add more city & town names for more significant events to ensure our community can quickly determine where they are located on the map and what impacts may affect them.