Southern Ontario Braces for Incoming Snowfall

Colder weather has settled into southern Ontario, bringing the region one step closer to the arrival of snow.

Early November’s unseasonably warm, summer-like temperatures in the 20s made it seem as though winter was far off. But this week, a cold front swept through Mississauga, Brampton, and much of southern Ontario, dropping temperatures significantly. Wind gusts of up to 80 km/h also tore through the area, signaling the end of the mild spell.

Meanwhile, parts of northwestern Ontario have already faced wintry conditions, with forecasts predicting up to 20 centimetres of snow as of Sunday evening.

Although the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has yet to see its first snowfall, that could soon change.

While Environment and Climate Change Canada has not released forecasts for that far ahead, two other weather forecasters predict snow is likely in the next 10 to 12 days.

The Weather Network’s long-range forecast shows wet snow and a high of 5°C on Tuesday, Nov. 26, for Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, and the Durham Region. However, Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville may avoid this initial bout of snow.

Instant Weather Ontario, on the other hand, predicts snow could arrive even sooner, particularly in areas near the Great Lakes.

“We’re closely monitoring the potential for significant snow squall activity between November 21st and 24th across Ontario’s snowbelt regions,” the forecaster shared on X.

Adding to the speculation, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center has forecast heavy snow for much of the Great Lakes region between Nov. 21 and 23. While this forecast doesn’t extend into Canada, Instant Weather notes similar conditions are possible in Ontario’s snowbelt areas, which include regions around Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario.

Although the GTA does not fall within traditional snowbelt zones, southern Ontario residents should prepare for a potentially harsh winter. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this season is expected to be colder than normal with above-average precipitation.