The Weather Network: Up to 30 cm of snow could hit parts of the GTA

Winter is in full force this week.

According to the Weather Network, a cooldown is on its way, bringing with it snow showers and snow squalls to parts of the GTA.

The lake effect system will not bring “crippling snowfalls” because of its short duration, but the Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham said that snow squalls will be “locally intense for several hours with strong winds Thursday evening and into the overnight in the traditional snow belts – and the bands will reach into parts of the GTA.”

The cold front is expected to start as rain and will reach the GTA by Thursday afternoon when it starts transitioning first to a rain-snow mix, then to flurries. The flurries are, at the moment, expected to be intense, but relatively short-lived, according to the Weather Network.

Currently, the system is showing about 2 cm of snow for Toronto.

The Weather Network

But this winter weather is expected to make for a difficult drive in some areas.

“Under the most persistent bands, I expect that we will see 15-30 cm of snow and the bands of lake effect snow will extend into parts of the GTA – potentially including Newmarket, Aurora, Markham and Ajax. Travel will be hazardous along part of the 400 and 404,” Gillham said.

Temperatures are expected to plunge overnight on Thursday, with daytime highs on Friday reaching just zero degrees. And with temperatures dropping so quickly, forecasters are warning of flash freeze potential on roads and overpasses.

Drive safely, and plan ahead if needed!

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