It feels like winter in Ontario as snow blankets several parts of the province, with the snowy weather expected to last throughout the weekend.
Environment Canada reports that local snow accumulations could exceed 75 centimetres by Sunday afternoon in some areas.
Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell says heavy snow will continue across the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron snowbelt region through the weekend and even into next week.
He says snowfall amounts in Bracebridge have already surpassed 40 cm, with widespread 15 to 40 cm across the region from Parry Sound and Haliburton all the way to the Bruce Peninsula.
“Another 40-70 cm is likely for the hardest-hit communities from Severn to Huntsville along with near zero visibility and blowing snow. Lightning and thunder are also likely in the more intense snow Friday night and Saturday with snowfall rates of five to eight cm falling every hour,” Farnell says.
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Hazardous lake effect snow squalls are expected to impact southwestern and central Ontario areas along Lake Huron throughout the weekend.
Weather statements are in effect for communities from the entire western section of the province to as far east as Bancroft and as far north as Sault Ste. Marie.
Most communities in this area are either under a snow squall warning or watch as the system develops.
Farnell warns that Highway 11 and the Trans-Canada Highway will be hard hit and could shut down this weekend. Highway 21 near Lake Huron will also be severely impacted, and travel in these areas is not recommended this weekend.
On Sunday, Farnell said the wind direction is expected to change to a more northwest flow, which will bring the snow squalls south into Barrie and Newmarket with a coating of snow likely for much of the GTA.
He says London will also see the heaviest snow Sunday night through Monday with significant accumulation.
“Cold Arctic air from the Prairies is moving across all five Great Lakes this weekend. The water temperatures are at record warm levels for this time of year which is increasing the snow amounts,” Farnell says.
Travel is sometimes expected to be difficult to nearly impossible under these bands, Environment Canada warns.
The national weather agency reports peak snowfall rates will be between five to 10 cm per hour.
Drivers are warned that conditions can quickly change within a few kilometres and that road closures are likely.
Farnell warns that an even colder airmass is likely to develop later next week, delivering much more snow to some of the hardest-hit areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
This colder-than-normal pattern will likely last through at least the first 10 days of December.
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