We have enjoyed mild temperatures thus far but a freezing rain alert for the next 6 hours for niagara is in effect. A larger storm system is also looming so all travel plans should be altered accordingly according to Environment Canada. Taking a look at the weather at this point:
Winter storm warnings are in effect for eastern Ontario, along with freezing rain warnings for the southwest and central parts of the province. A special weather statement covers the entire Greater Toronto Area.
TIMING
Southwestern Ontario will be the first to experience the Texas low Monday, with ice pellets and snow expected to push into Windsor and London areas early afternoon, followed by a brief period of snowfall.
By mid-afternoon freezing rain will likely begin for areas spanning from Chatham to Simcoe. Through the evening hours, the freezing rain and ice pellets will spread eastward to the Niagara region.
There is a risk of lake-effect snow for the western end of Lake Ontario due to easterly winds forecast Monday afternoon ahead of the approaching low.
The snow will start Monday evening for the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe, continuing through the overnight. Freezing rain and ice pellets will likely spread from Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville areas to London and Sarnia and north to Innisfil. The snow will also begin for Bruce Peninsula and southern portions of Georgian Bay. While, the freezing rain changes over to rain through southwestern Ontario.
As roads become covered visibility could drop to near zero, deteriorating travel conditions rapidly. The lake-effect snow could impact roads like the QEW corridor of western GTA, with easterly winds gusting up to 70 km/h.
More significant accumulations of ice pellets are expected for Hamilton through the Waterloo region, with the greatest amount of freezing rain from Stratford to Kitchener-Waterloo areas, raising the risk of power outages.
By pre-dawn Tuesday, precipitation is forecast to switch over to rain in the GTA, while freezing rain is likely to continue for areas to the north. Ottawa and Montreal are on tap to receive snow through these hours.
Most of southern Ontario is expected to see rain through the day Tuesday, while freezing rain and ice pellets continue for Kingston and Cornwall areas before switching back to snow by Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, much of Quebec willy likely see snow through the day.
Conditions will gradually taper off as the system tracks east through the night.
SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING
Heaviest amounts are expected for northeastern Ontario and Quebec border.
Up to 5 cm is on tap for Toronto, while areas northeast of the city could see 5-10 cm. Ottawa and Montreal are set to see anywhere between 15-20 cm. Northern Ontario could see local amounts of 20 or more cm.
Now taking a look at the current forecast for niagara as the freezing rain warning continues:
Today
Mainly cloudy. Wind northeast 20 km/h gusting to 40 increasing to 40 gusting to 60 late this morning. High minus 3.
Tonight
Cloudy. Snow at times heavy mixed with ice pellets beginning early this evening then changing to freezing rain mixed with ice pellets near midnight and then changing to rain before morning. Blowing snow this evening. Snow and ice pellet amount 5 cm. Wind east 40 km/h gusting to 70. Temperature rising to plus 2 by morning.
Tue
Periods of rain ending early in the afternoon then cloudy with 40 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Wind southeast 30 km/h becoming southwest 30 gusting to 50 in the morning. High 8.
Night
Cloudy with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. Low plus 1.
Wed
Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries or rain showers. High plus 4.
Night
Cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 1.
Thu
Cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. High plus 2.
Night
Cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Windy. Low minus 2.
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