Up to 40 centimetres of snow expected for parts of southern Ontario as snow squall warnings remain in effect

January 4, 2025 Canuck

Snow squall warnings in southern Ontario remain in effect Saturday, with as much 40 centimetres of snow expected to fall for parts of the province this weekend.

The weather warnings are primarily set for the regions surrounding Lake Huron and Georgian Bay as lake effect snow continues to affect the area.

Environment Canada says the snow has “become somewhat disorganized this morning” but is expected to fall more rapidly throughout Saturday, with snowfall of up to 40 centimetres possible for some areas by Sunday.

The snowfall could even be higher, should the snow squalls remain stationary over one region, the weather agency notes.

A snow squall watch is also in effect for Kitchener and Waterloo, with local snowfall potentially exceeding 15 centimetres.

“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common,” Environment Canada says.

In some areas, the winds are forecasted to reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, the federal agency says, prompting reduced visibility and potentially hazardous travel conditions due to the blowing snow. If visibility is reduced while Ontarians are out on the road, Environment Canada urges motorists to slow down, look out for tail lights ahead and be ready to stop.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” the weather warning reads.

The intensity of the snow squalls should taper off by Sunday, Environment Canada says.

Environment Canada also issued a weather advisory for some areas west of the GTA, like Peterborough, Pickering and Oshawa, as the lake effect snow is expected to blow inland on Saturday. Here, snowfall between five to 10 centimetres is expected.

As snow blankets parts of southern Ontario, Toronto can also expect some flurries over the weekend. Environment Canada forecasts about two centimetres of snow to blow through the city Saturday afternoon with wind chill cooling temperatures to about -13. No weather advisories are currently in effect for Toronto.

The chilly weather is expected to carry through into Sunday, with flurries forecast to end that afternoon after winds reach speeds of up to 40 km/h in the morning.

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