Massive Storm Dumps Nearly a Meter of Snow on Ontario, Leaving Thousands Without Power
Ontario Faces “Rude Awakening” as Winter Storm Dumps Nearly a Metre of Snow, Causes Power Outages
A sudden onset of winter weather brought heavy snow and widespread disruptions to parts of Ontario, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Brent Linington. Communities along the shores of lakes Superior and Huron bore the brunt of the storm, digging out from nearly a metre of snow on Saturday, with more in the forecast.
“This is a pretty big flip of the switch from the mild fall we enjoyed to the intense snowfall we’re experiencing now,” said Linington.
Snow blowing off the Great Lakes led to whiteout conditions, forcing the closure of a section of the Trans-Canada Highway in northern Ontario and knocking out power to over 30,000 customers. Hard-hit areas like Bracebridge and Sault Ste. Marie received 89 and 80 centimetres of snow, respectively, and were bracing for an additional 40 to 50 centimetres by the end of the weekend.
Sault Ste. Marie began reopening transit and community centers Saturday after shutting them down due to the storm. Hydro One crews worked to restore electricity to thousands of affected customers in central Ontario, including Bracebridge and Parry Sound.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) closed major roadways, including stretches of Highway 17 and Highway 11, citing dangerous whiteout conditions. Authorities strongly urged residents to avoid travel as snow squall warnings predicted accumulations of up to 50 centimetres in some areas by Sunday afternoon.
Environment Canada also issued snow squall warnings for regions like Niagara Falls and Kingston, with forecasts of up to 30 centimetres of snow by Sunday night.
While the current storm is expected to ease by late Sunday, Linington warned that more winter weather is on the horizon, with broad snow coverage expected mid-week and another potential blast of lake-effect snow next weekend.
