Powerful storm bringing heavy snow, ice and strong winds to parts of Ontario

A powerful storm system is expected to bring a mix of heavy snow, ice, rain and strong winds to large parts of Ontario on Monday, creating hazardous travel conditions and the potential for power outages.

The storm will impact several regions differently as a strong low-pressure system moves across the province.

In northeastern and far northeastern Ontario, as well as eastern portions of the North Shore of Lake Superior, rapidly accumulating snow and strong winds are expected through Monday. Snowfall totals could reach up to 40 centimetres, while wind gusts may reach 70 km/h and up to 80 km/h near the lake.

Communities along the eastern shore of Lake Superior and the northern shore of North Channel could see snow mixing with ice pellets overnight into Monday morning. Additional snowfall of 10 to 20 centimetres is possible, along with wind gusts up to 80 km/h. Freezing rain may also develop, with ice accumulation of two to five millimetres possible.

Further inland in northeastern Ontario, including Greater Sudbury, snow is expected to change to freezing rain or ice pellets overnight before transitioning again later Monday. Ice accumulation of four to eight millimetres is possible. Areas near Elliot Lake may receive up to 15 centimetres of additional snow as precipitation changes back to snow later in the day.

Areas stretching from Manitoulin Island to Mattawa, including North Bay, are expected to see ice pellets and freezing rain transition to rain overnight into Monday morning. Rainfall totals of 30 to 50 millimetres are possible, with locally higher amounts in isolated thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, strong winds are forecast across southwestern Ontario and parts of the western Greater Golden Horseshoe, including Toronto and surrounding areas. South to southwest wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h are expected Monday, with brief gusts up to 100 km/h possible as a cold front moves through the region. Winds of up to 90 km/h may persist near the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

---

The storm will also have an impact on Quebec, with 15 to 30 centimetres of snow expected from this morning to Tuesday afternoon for the James Bay and La Grande River area east to Labrador.

From early this morning until overnight tonight, a total of 15 to 25 centimetres of snow and 2 to 5 millimetres of freezing rain is expected for the Sept-Îles - Port-Cartier area west to Normandin.

From today to Tuesday morning, total snowfall amounts of 30 to 50 centimetres are expected for the Gouin Reservoir area to Chibougamau and Matagami.