Ontario is currently engulfed in a bone-chilling Arctic air mass, setting the stage for significant lake-effect snow squalls that promise to blanket the region in white. The cold front has triggered snow squall watches and warnings across several areas, especially as temperatures plummet.

Forecasters predict that certain parts of southern Ontario could face snow accumulations exceeding a staggering 40 cm by this Wednesday, leading to potentially hazardous conditions. As you venture outside or consider travel plans, be prepared for dangerously poor visibility and treacherous, icy roads. The extreme weather can shift rapidly, and it’s crucial to dress warmly – layering clothing is advised to tackle the severe cold gripping the province for the rest of the week.

A Deep Freeze Continues

The arctic airmass has established residency over Ontario and is expected to linger through midweek, with the coldest day anticipated on Tuesday. Northern Ontario is currently under extreme cold warnings, with wind chills threatening to plummet to an unimaginable -50°C. Under such conditions, frostbite can occur in mere minutes.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued stern warnings about the ongoing freeze: “Limited relief from the extreme cold will be seen even during daytime hours.” Toronto, for instance, will experience its lowest temperature for a daytime high since January of 2019, hovering around -12°C. Flashback to even chillier days, like January 15, 1994, when temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling -21°C.

Extreme cold warnings aren't just confined to the north. Cities such as Windsor, London, and Barrie will also experience daytime highs stuck in the minus teens, accompanied by wind chills plunging into the -30s. The ECCC emphasizes vigilance against cold-related health symptoms — from shortness of breath to numbness in extremities. Staying warm and layering correctly is essential.

Lake-Effect Snow Intensifies

The Great Lakes, still largely unfrozen, are fueling the fierce lake-effect snow. Present temperatures reveal Lake Huron at 4°C, Lake Erie at 3°C, and Lake Ontario at 1°C. As frigid winds sweep across these lakes, they incite a new wave of heavy snowfall, with a weak weather system expected to extend snowfall through Wednesday.

Areas near Lake Huron up to Georgian Bay should brace for meandering snow squalls, with warnings indicating the potential for up to 60 cm of snowfall in some regions. The brunt of the snowfall is expected around the Bruce Peninsula, where local accumulations may surpass 40 cm.

Moreover, the Niagara Peninsula is also expected to feel the squalls’ icy grasp, particularly areas downwind of Lake Erie like Fort Erie. Wind gusts of 40-50 km/h will exacerbate low visibility, complicating travel considerably.

A weak system moving from the north on Wednesday will continue to blanket the snowbelts, surprising residents of the Greater Toronto Area with an unexpected burst of snow, though this system will quickly dissipate by Thursday.

Looking Ahead: A Cold End to January

As January draws to a close, residents can expect a continuation of colder-than-average temperatures, though milder air may move in from the south during early February. Will this bring an early taste of spring, or will it herald a surge in active storm patterns?

Stay tuned as we track the evolving weather patterns affecting Ontario!

WATCH NOW: Surprising Tips to Stay Warm During the Deep Freeze!