Quick snap back into winter with snow and major temperature drop in Ontario

Ontario’s January thaw is set to conclude abruptly this week as colder temperatures and snow return.

Northern and central Ontario can expect 5-15 cm of snow by Wednesday, with southern regions seeing a mix of snow and rain.

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A sharp temperature drop of 10-15°C will affect most of the province, however, with the wind chill making it feel closer to the -20s. Temperatures may briefly rebound through the weekend, but a longer stretch of Arctic air is anticipated to dominate the final weeks of January.

New system brings snow and a transition back to the cold temperatures

A clipper system will move through Ontario from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing widespread snow to northern and central areas, while the south may see snow, mixed precipitation, and rain. Snowfall amounts of 5-15 cm are expected by Wednesday.

Blustery winds accompanying the system could lead to blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility on some roadways.

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In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), commutes may be affected by snow and a wintry mix on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, and Wednesday evening.

By Thursday, cold northwesterly winds are expected to trigger lake-effect snow, persisting through the end of the work week.

Frigid cold and wind chills return late week

Temperatures across northern Ontario are set to drop by 10-15°C from Tuesday into Wednesday. By Wednesday night into Thursday, the cold air will move into southern Ontario, bringing daytime highs in the minus double digits, with wind chills making it feel closer to the -20s.

While temperatures may slightly recover for some areas at the start of the weekend, another surge of Arctic air will move in, keeping the region in frigid conditions well into next week.

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Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Ontario.