Snow Squalls Expected to Bring Up to 60 cm of Snow to Parts of Ontario

Heavy, blowing snow is set to sweep across parts of Ontario on Friday, with some areas expected to see up to 60 centimetres of accumulation.

Environment Canada has issued snow squall warnings for regions stretching from Listowel in the west to Orillia in the north and just before Belleville in the east.

The heaviest snowfall is forecasted for communities along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, extending down to Barrie. These areas could receive up to 60 centimetres, while other regions may see between 15 and 45 centimetres.

“Lake effect snow will persist through Thursday night before shifting south of the area by Friday morning,” Environment Canada noted. “Northwest winds, gusting up to 60 km/h, may result in blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility at times. Lake effect snow is expected to return to some areas over the weekend.”

The agency warned that visibility could drop to near zero in heavy snow and blowing conditions, with rapid snow accumulation creating hazardous travel conditions. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate. Road closures are possible,” they added.

In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a snow squall warning is in effect for Newmarket, Georgina, and northern York Region, with the highest snowfall expected southeast and just south of Lake Simcoe. Most other parts of the GTA are likely to experience little to no accumulation.

A previous weather advisory predicting 5 to 10 centimetres of snow for parts of the GTA, including Peel Region, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, and Halton Hills, has since been lifted.

In Toronto, the forecast includes windy conditions and scattered flurries but minimal snow accumulation.