Soon after a memorable snowstorm dropped between 30 to 60 cm of snow in Hamilton and Niagara regions, Canada’s weather agency says we’re going to see something like it again this week.
Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for Wednesday afternoon, suggesting heavy snow could dominate the forecast bringing another 20 to 30 cm by Thursday night.
“Rain showers will transition to snow this afternoon and into this evening,” the agency said.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
Global News Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell said although the week started off with a warm-up melting some of the lingering snow from Jan. 17, he says it could all be replaced come the weekend.
“It’s a long duration storm, kind of the opposite of what we had with that big blizzard a couple of weeks ago,” Farnell said.
“As you get from Hamilton towards the Niagara region back into London, Sarnia and Windsor, 20 to 30 centimeters is expected.”
The mid-January snowstorm forced blizzard warnings, extended remote learning for students, and slowed drivers on major Toronto-area highways with ploughs unable to match the snowfall.
According to Farnell, the culprits are a blizzard coming across from the prairies, combining with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
“On Wednesday, we get that rather wet snow initially and then it accumulates overnight,” said Farnell.
“Wednesday, Thursday morning commute is going to be rough and then we’ll see.”
He went on to say the snowfall rates are expected to be slower than the previous storm with the possibility of lasting more than 48 hours.
Environment Canada believes 15 to 20 cm will fall by the end of Wednesday night with another 5 to 10 cm to come down on Thursday.
The general forecast for Hamilton and Niagara Region is calling for snow and 3 C on Wednesday, more snow and -3 C on Thursday, before settling to just sun, clouds and – 9 C for Friday.
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