A significant storm system is poised to impact southern Ontario as the weekend begins, accompanied by a plunge in temperatures.
Global News meteorologist Ross Hull has reported that another Texas low-pressure system will approach the Great Lakes region from late Friday into Saturday. This follows a previous storm that brought a mix of snow and rain to southern Ontario earlier in the week, with precipitation types and amounts varying across different locations.
Hull explains, “As with this last storm, there are still some questions as to the exact track – the energy that will form this system is still emerging off the west coast of the continent.” He further notes that the track of the storm will influence the type and intensity of precipitation, with a more westerly route allowing milder air to move in, while an easterly route would bring colder air and less likelihood of transitioning to rain.
What sets this upcoming storm apart is the presence of a greater amount of cold air building over the Prairies. As a result, it is expected to bring more snow before potentially transitioning to rain, especially in cities like Toronto near Lake Ontario. While exact snowfall amounts are still uncertain, areas that saw heavy snowfall in the previous storm are likely to see the heaviest accumulations in this new disturbance.
Strong winds are also a concern with this approaching storm, potentially leading to near-blizzard conditions in some areas affected by heavy snowfall. Following the storm’s passage, the coldest air of the season is anticipated to move in over the latter part of the weekend and early next week. Daytime high temperatures may remain in the negative double digits in certain locations, with overnight lows plunging into the -20s°C by midweek. Additionally, snow squalls may become an issue as frigid air interacts with the Great Lakes.