Major winter storm impacting Ontario

A powerful low-pressure system is bringing widespread and severe winter weather to much of Ontario today.

Northeastern Ontario east of Lake Superior could see up to 40 centimetres of snow, with wind gusts reaching 90 km/h, creating blizzard conditions. Travel along Highway 17 is expected to be significantly affected, with conditions improving later tonight as snowfall tapers off and winds gradually ease.

Heavier snowfall is forecast from Chapleau to Timmins, where totals could reach 60 centimetres. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h are expected, with blizzard conditions possible closer to Lake Superior. Highway 11 travel is likely to be disrupted, with snow tapering to flurries overnight or early Tuesday while blowing snow continues into Tuesday afternoon.

Parts of northeastern and central Ontario may see a mix of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain. Snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 centimetres are possible, with up to five millimetres of ice accretion before precipitation transitions to snow, leading to icy and difficult travel conditions.

In eastern and central Ontario, an ice storm is expected to continue into the morning or early afternoon. Lesser ice accretion is forecast for areas east of Georgian Bay and north of Lake Ontario, though wind gusts up to 60 km/h may contribute to tree damage and power outages. Rainfall totals of up to 30 millimetres are possible near Lake Ontario once temperatures rise above freezing.

Blizzard conditions are expected southeast of Lake Huron as snow squalls develop behind the system. Wind gusts could reach 100 km/h, with near-zero visibility and dangerous travel conditions, particularly during the afternoon.

Strong winds of 80 to 100 km/h are also forecast southeast of Georgian Bay and along the northeastern shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie. Brief periods of heavy snow and blowing snow are expected, with snow squalls developing off Georgian Bay later today and continuing into Tuesday.

In southwestern and central Ontario, including the Golden Horseshoe, icy surfaces and strong winds up to 80 km/h are expected, with local blowing snow possible as temperatures fall below zero.