Spooky Snow Set to Haunt Ontario With Up to 15-25cm Possible by Tuesday
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October in Ontario has been a mix of tricks and treats. While we've basked in some unseasonably warm "treats" this month, including record-breaking highs last week, it seems Mother Nature might have a little "trick" up her sleeve just in time for Halloween.
This unexpected surprise will unfurl as widespread snowfall, starting early Monday and stretching into Tuesday, with some lake-effect snow hauntings around Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior. By the time trick-or-treaters venture out on Halloween evening, some parts of Ontario might be walking through a 15-25cm blanket of ghostly white snow!
Ontario's current chilling touch is a prelude to what lies ahead. A system is breezing through Southern Ontario, mainly shedding tears of rain, but there've been whispers of sleet in some corners. Temperatures are expected to take a ghostly dip overnight, nearing the freezing mark in Central and Eastern Ontario.
With rain continuing into Monday, expect some of it to transform into wet snow by dawn. Early risers in Eastern Ontario, especially the Ottawa Valley, might find a sprinkling of this icy confetti. However, with temperatures close to freezing, this early snowfall might melt as quickly as a vampire in sunlight. But regions like Bancroft and Barry’s Bay might see a more noticeable 4-6cm of snow.
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As colder air follows this system, lake-effect snow will intensify, starting with Lake Superior on Monday. Snow squalls will push heavy snow into the Sault Ste. Marie region from Lake Superior. Other lake effect snow bands will impact areas east of Lake Superior, like Wawa and Marathon, though less intensely. This activity will persist until Tuesday afternoon.
Further south, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay will join the Halloween mischief by Monday evening. The main snow band could stretch from the Bruce Peninsula to between Barrie and Orillia, though its exact path remains uncertain.
By Monday's witching hour, Central Ontario's temperatures will dip below freezing, giving the lake effect snow a boost. Early Tuesday might even feature thundersnow, so don’t be too spooked if early Tuesday brings a rare thundersnow event!
On Halloween morning, you might have to brush off a light layer of snow from your jack-o'-lanterns. The sun should help melt some of it, but lake-effect snow might make a brief comeback just as the evening's ghoulish festivities begin. The Parry Sound region seems to be the favoured haunt for this snow activity. A clearer forecast for Tuesday evening and Wednesday will be conjured up closer to the event.
The projected snowfall accumulation may cause you to let out a blood-curdling scream in some areas. The Sault Ste. Marie area, in particular, could receive 15-25cm of snow, or possibly more if the snow remains intense. Areas east of Lake Superior might get around 6-12cm.
Accumulation in Southern Ontario is uncertain due to temperatures near freezing. The Bruce Peninsula and Simcoe County might see 6-12cm, with localized areas possibly reaching 15-20cm if conditions are right.
Other parts of Southern Ontario might get a sprinkle of wet snow, but significant accumulation is unlikely. Deep Southwestern areas, like Sarnia, Windsor, and the Niagara region, probably won't see any snow in the coming days.
