Return of Squalls to Ontario’s Snowbelt This Week With Blizzard Conditions & Over 50cm of Snow Possible

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While the brief break from lake-effect snow earlier this month brought milder air and rain to the snowbelt regions, the respite appears to be short-lived.

Snow squall activity is expected to make a comeback as we approach the end of the week. With multiple days of snow squalls anticipated, we could once again see impressive snowfall totals, rivaling those from earlier this month.


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Colder air will begin to filter into Southern Ontario from the northwest late Wednesday afternoon, dropping temperatures below freezing through the evening. This influx of cold air will trigger the development of lake-effect snow bands, with ideal conditions persisting through Thursday and into Friday.

Current projections suggest two primary zones will bear the brunt of the snow squalls: one east of Lake Huron and the other southeast of Georgian Bay. The Lake Huron squall is expected to impact southern portions of Grey and Bruce counties, including Owen Sound, Chatsworth, and Meaford. Meanwhile, the Georgian Bay squall will likely target central Simcoe County, extending northward into southern Muskoka.


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Snowfall totals in the hardest-hit areas could exceed 50 cm, with the possibility of approaching the staggering 100 cm seen in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst earlier this month. Whether such totals materialize depends on whether any of the snow squall bands remain stationary for extended periods.

To make matters worse, strong winds are expected to develop late Wednesday and persist into Thursday morning. Gusts could reach 60–80 km/h, particularly in Grey-Bruce and Simcoe County, significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous travel conditions.

Blizzard conditions may develop, and travel is strongly discouraged during this timeframe. School bus cancellations are almost certain along the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay shorelines on Thursday.


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The lake-effect snow is expected to begin late Wednesday afternoon, with the first band forming off Lake Huron. Initially driven by northwesterly winds, this band will target areas near Goderich before shifting northward as winds veer to a more westerly direction by evening.


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By midnight, the main Lake Huron squall is expected to become stationary, affecting areas from Wiarton southward to Port Elgin, Owen Sound, and Meaford. Simultaneously, snow bands will begin forming off Georgian Bay, initially targeting Wasaga Beach, Midland, and Orillia. These may briefly lift northward Thursday morning, potentially reaching Gravenhurst and Bracebridge.


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The most intense conditions are forecast for late Thursday morning into the afternoon. Two main corridors of concern are expected: Owen Sound to Collingwood off Lake Huron, and Wasaga Beach to Orillia off Georgian Bay. Snowfall rates will be exceptionally high, and the squalls could remain locked in place for 6–12 hours, leading to rapid accumulation.

Strong wind gusts during this period could result in blizzard conditions, with near-zero visibility on roads. Road and highway closures are likely in the hardest-hit areas, especially on Thursday.

By late Thursday night, the snow squalls may shift into the Bruce Peninsula and Muskoka regions. While the bands are expected to weaken by Friday morning, lingering activity could still produce scattered flurries before tapering off completely by the afternoon.


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As with previous lake-effect events, it’s important to remember that these snow squalls are highly localized. Narrow bands of snow, often only a few kilometres wide, can result in dramatically different conditions over short distances. One location might see over 50 cm of snow while areas just a few kilometres away remain relatively unscathed.

We currently have high confidence in two zones being hardest hit: southern portions of the Bruce Peninsula, including Owen Sound, Chatsworth, Meaford, and Flesherton, and areas west of Orillia, including Midland and Coldwater. Accumulations in these regions could exceed 50 cm, with totals potentially nearing 100 cm if squalls remain stationary long enough. A more conservative estimate is 50–75 cm.


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A wider swath of Grey-Bruce, including Kincardine, Port Elgin, Hanover, Lion’s Head, and Tobermory, as well as much of Simcoe County and northern portions of Kawartha Lakes, Gravenhurst, and Beaverton, could see 25–50 cm. Not all areas in this zone will hit these totals, as much depends on the placement and movement of the snow bands.

Further south and away from the snowbelt, accumulation decreases rapidly. Barrie itself may largely miss the snow, although it could see up to 25 cm if the bands shift slightly. The Georgian Bay squall may extend inland at times, bringing heavy snow to Lindsay and Peterborough, with 10–20 cm possible in these areas.

For regions in other parts of the snowbelt, including Muskoka, Parry Sound, Haliburton, and parts of Dufferin, Wellington, Perth, and Huron counties, totals are expected to range from 10–20 cm. The Golden Horseshoe, including London, Kitchener, and Guelph, will likely see only light flurries, with less than 5 cm expected.

The Second Storm of the Week Should Finally Bring Nova Scotia's First Decent Snowfall of the Season

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For the second time in a week, more snow is on the way for the Maritimes, with another short-lived Alberta Clipper moving in to finish the weekend. Nova Scotians can once again expect rain with this system, but that won’t happen until after some snow accumulates, making this the first decent amount of snow across most of the province this season.


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New Brunswick

The snow from the Clipper will arrive along the International border before sunrise Sunday morning and cross the province throughout the morning hours. The snow will be light to moderate, leading to a widespread 5-10cm across New Brunswick. Some light rain may mix with the snow along the Fundy Coast so snowfall totals could be limited here. Heavier snow is likely around Miramichi and into the Acadian Peninsula in the early afternoon, with snowfall rates reaching 2cm/hr and resulting in accumulations above 10cm in this area. By the early afternoon, the snow will start to taper off from west to east and ending in the evening.

Nova Scotia

The leading edge of the Clipper will push into Western Nova Scotia at around sunrise on Sunday. The western portions of the Annapolis Valley and South Shore will see this snow switch over to rain after only an hour or two, but as the system pushes further into the province through the morning, the snow will persist longer.

As we progress into the afternoon, the temperatures will rise to above freezing in mainland Nova Scotia, starting along the coasts and moving inland, causing the snow to transition to rain after only a few hours. As a result, snowfall totals will be higher, just above 5cm, in inland portions of the mainland and lesser along coastal areas. This snowfall won’t last and will quickly start to melt with the warmer temperatures and rain following it. The transition from rain to snow won’t occur until the evening in Cape Breton and the impacts of this will be limited overall. As usual, the higher elevations of the Highlands will remain cool, preventing a switch over to rain and resulting in snowfall accumulations above 10cm.

The system will start to make its way out of Nova Scotia starting in the late afternoon, with precipitation ending from west to east until finally exiting the province after midnight early Monday morning.

Prince Edward Island

The snow will reach Prince Edward Island around the lunch hour on Sunday and is expected to last throughout the afternoon before tapering off in the early evening. The snow is expected to be light, resulting in an almost province-wide 5-10cm of fresh accumulation with the exception of eastern King’s County, where temperatures will climb above 0° briefly in the evening and there will be a switch over to rain as the system finishes crossing the Island.

Fast Moving Clipper to Dump Up to 10-20cm of Snow on Parts of Ontario & Quebec This Weekend

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After a week dominated by seemingly endless snow squall activity across the snowbelt regions of Southern and Northern Ontario, the lake-effect snow machine is finally taking a break as we head into the first full weekend of December. However, this pause in squalls doesn’t mean the weather will be quiet for long!

We’re tracking a system originating from the Prairies that is expected to sweep across Ontario and Quebec between Saturday and Sunday. This fast-moving clipper will bring a widespread blast of snow, with accumulations ranging from 10 to 20 cm across Northern Ontario, Central and Eastern Ontario, and parts of Southern Quebec.


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Precipitation associated with this system has already begun moving into Northwestern Ontario from Manitoba and will continue spreading eastward through the overnight hours. Areas near the international border, including Fort Frances, may also see a risk of freezing rain. Light to moderate snow will develop around Lake Superior and into Northeastern Ontario by Saturday morning.

As Saturday progresses, the system’s first snow bands will push southward into parts of Southwestern, Central, and Eastern Ontario by the afternoon. Initially, snowfall is expected to be light but could reach areas within the Golden Horseshoe. A sharp cut-off in precipitation means Deep Southwestern Ontario and regions along the Lake Erie shoreline are likely to see little to no accumulation.


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By Saturday evening, the bulk of the precipitation will concentrate over Central and Eastern Ontario, where moderate to heavy snow will persist through the evening and into the early overnight hours.

Snowfall will taper off in Southwestern Ontario by the early evening and in the Greater Toronto Area by mid-evening. For the rest of Central and Eastern Ontario, snow will likely ease shortly after midnight, though areas closer to the Quebec border could see lingering snowfall into the pre-dawn hours.


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During this time, temperatures in Southern Ontario will gradually rise, pushing many locations above the freezing mark and resulting in a mix of rain and snow. Central and Eastern Ontario, however, are expected to remain cold enough to keep precipitation as all snow.

For Quebec, snowfall is forecasted to begin mid to late Saturday afternoon, with Montreal likely seeing its first snow bands just after dinner. Snow will continue through the overnight hours and is not expected to clear out until late Sunday morning.


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In terms of accumulation, this system is relatively straightforward compared to scenarios involving mixing or lake enhancement. Across Northern Ontario, a general 10 to 15 cm is expected, including areas such as Armstrong, Marathon, Wawa, Timmins, Chapleau, and Kirkland Lake. Isolated locations could see totals closer to 15 to 20 cm.


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Farther south, snowfall totals of 10 to 20 cm are anticipated across much of Central and Eastern Ontario and Southwestern Ontario east of Lake Huron. This includes regions such as Grey-Bruce, Orillia, Muskoka, North Bay, Sudbury, Peterborough, Kingston, and the Ottawa Valley. Similar accumulations are expected in Southern Quebec, including Montreal, where snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm are likely, with localized pockets nearing 20 cm.

Meanwhile, lower amounts are expected in areas such as London, Kitchener-Waterloo, the Niagara Region, and the western GTA, where snowfall totals will likely remain around 5 cm or less. Toronto, in particular, may see minimal accumulation due to limited moisture reaching the area as the system concentrates on Central and Eastern Ontario. Deep Southwestern Ontario will likely see only trace amounts.

Messy Weekend Clipper Expected to Bring Widespread 10-20cm of Snow and Risk of Freezing Rain to the Prairies

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It’s going to be a messy weekend across the Prairies with a Clipper expected to bring over 10cm of snow in a swath from Edmonton, through Saskatoon, to Winnipeg. This will be the first considerable snowfall of the season for the Winnipeg area, which has lagged behind the rest of the Prairie provinces by a couple of weeks.

The snow won’t be the only concern from this storm; there will be the risk of freezing rain across the region in pockets where temperatures will climb a degree or two above freezing. On top of the snow and freezing rain, some areas will also see rain from this storm, making for a mixed bag of a weekend!


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Alberta

Our Clipper will start to make its way into Alberta in the Northern Rockies as a disorganized mess of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation mid-morning Saturday. Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing across much of Southern and Central Alberta so as the system pushes eastward into the province through the afternoon, the precipitation should fall as rain.

Things become much more organized in the evening and as temperatures start to fall, most of the rain in Central Alberta will switch over to snow. There will be the risk of brief freezing rain during this transition which could make surfaces quite icy before being covered with snow. With the organization of the storm, snowfall rates will increase and snow accumulations above 10cm should start around Edmonton and continue east-southeastward along the track of the storm.

As the system starts to exit the province early Sunday morning, some precipitation will actually push into Southern Alberta. There will be brief freezing rain along the leading edge, bringing trace ice accretion to Red Deer and eastward, followed by some moderate snowfall that will lead to 5-10cm of snow to the area, including Medicine Hat. The snow will taper off in the west through Sunday morning, but it is expected to linger in the east through the day.


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Saskatchewan

The storm will extend into Saskatchewan starting in the late afternoon or early evening on Saturday. With the temperatures in the single digits, it will start off as a narrow band of rain. As the temperatures fall later in the evening, however, we expect there to be a transition over to freezing rain that will last for several hours as the storm continues its path southeastward. There could be a considerable track of ice accretion of 2-5mm that stretches from Saskatoon through Moosomin and into Southwest Manitoba.

Unfortunately, the freezing rain will eventually transition to snow from west to east overnight, which will cover the frozen ground, making things even more slippery. This snow will be moderate to heavy at times, with snowfall rates up to 2cm per hour, resulting in snowfall totals of 10-20cm over a wide stretch of the province.

During early morning hours of Sunday, snow will start to wrap around from the west, bringing 5-10cm of snow to Southwest and West Central Saskatchewan and lesser amounts along the International border. The snow will start to dissipate Sunday afternoon before ending Monday morning in the southeast corner of the province.

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Manitoba

In a similar fashion to what is expected in Saskatchewan, as the Clipper crosses into Manitoba overnight Saturday, the leading edge will bring freezing rain into the province. This is only expected in the southwest corner of the province and the greatest ice accretion of 2-5mm will be found in an area that includes Virden and Boissevain.

After a few hours of freezing rain, the snow will follow and spread eastward across Manitoba through the morning. The storm will grow in size as the snow wraps around from the west in the early morning and the arrival of heavier snow in the afternoon will lead to a wider area receiving 10-20cm. The storm will start to push into Northern Ontario early Sunday afternoon and the snow will start to taper off overnight before eventually exiting the region by early Monday afternoon.

Widespread wind gusts of 50-70km/h are expected with the Clipper so on top of surfaces being quite icy over a wide area, blowing snow will be a concern As a result, we may see some highway closures throughout the duration of the storm. Road conditions will likely be very poor in the hardest hit areas so please take extra caution when travelling this weekend!

London Area Could Get Hammered by Intense Snow Squall on Thursday With Locally Up to 50-75cm of Snow

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As the Alberta Clipper that brought widespread snowfall to Southern Ontario exits late Wednesday, snow squalls are set to return to the snowbelt regions. Unfortunately, the areas that were buried earlier this week will once again bear the brunt of this lake effect activity.

Locations just north and west of London appear to be in the bullseye, with the potential for 50 to 75 cm of fresh snowfall accumulation by the end of Thursday.


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Lake effect activity is expected to begin organizing overnight and into early Thursday morning along the southern shorelines of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Current forecasts suggest this activity will consolidate into a few well-defined snow squalls by late morning or early afternoon.

The most intense squall is projected to form off the southeastern shoreline of Lake Huron, extending from Port Franks through Strathroy and into the west end of London. Additional streamers could impact areas further inland and along the eastern Lake Huron shoreline, stretching from Kincardine down to Grand Bend.


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A separate squall will develop off Georgian Bay, spanning from Collingwood to Shelburne. Forecast models differ on the intensity of this squall, with some suggesting it could push far inland, potentially reaching parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) just in time for the evening commute.

This scenario could bring a heavy burst of snow to the Hwy 400 corridor between Bradford and Vaughan, possibly extending to Mississauga and even the western parts of Toronto.


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The primary concern with this event is that the squalls are unlikely to shift much throughout the day. Instead, they could remain stationary for over 12 hours, beginning Thursday morning and continuing into the late evening.

As seen in Muskoka over the weekend, stationary squalls can produce extreme snowfall rates of 10–15 cm per hour, quickly overwhelming plowing operations and making travel nearly impossible as highways are buried in snow.


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Travel is strongly discouraged along the Lake Huron shoreline, particularly on Hwy 402 between London and Wyoming, during the day on Thursday and into the evening. Blizzard-like conditions, combined with rapid snowfall accumulation, will create dangerous and potentially life-threatening travel conditions.

The Georgian Bay squall is expected to diminish just after midnight, while the Lake Huron squall will gradually lift north of London during the pre-dawn hours on Friday. Additional lake effect snow is possible east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay on Friday, though it remains unclear whether it will organize into significant squalls. We will provide updates in a separate forecast if substantial accumulation seems likely.


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The most intense snowfall is expected to target a small area west of London, including Parkhill, Ailsa Craig, and Strathroy, where totals could exceed 50 cm and potentially reach 75 cm. It’s important to note that these higher totals will be very localized, as the squall is forecast to be quite narrow. The exact location of the heaviest accumulation will depend on where the squall sets up.

While the City of London is likely to avoid the worst of the snowfall, it isn’t entirely in the clear. The city’s west end could see totals ranging from 25 to 50 cm. A slight eastward shift in the squall could place London directly in its path, significantly increasing snowfall totals for the area.

Lower amounts are expected in London’s east end, which is likely to see between 10 and 20 cm. St. Thomas could also be affected, with snowfall potentially reaching 20–30 cm depending on how far inland the squall extends.


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Other communities along the southeastern shoreline of Lake Huron, including Grand Bend, Lucan, Exeter, Clinton, and Goderich, are projected to receive 25–50 cm by the time the squalls diminish on Friday morning.

As is typical with snow squalls, snowfall gradients will be extremely sharp, and accumulation will drop off quickly outside the most affected areas. Locations such as Kincardine, Listowel, and Mitchell can expect totals of around 10–20 cm.

The Georgian Bay squall is anticipated to be less intense than its Lake Huron counterpart. Accumulations of 15–25 cm are expected for areas like Collingwood and Shelburne. If the squall extends into parts of the GTA, it could bring a quick 5–10 cm of snow, primarily affecting Brampton, Mississauga, and other areas in the western GTA.

Less than 5cm is expected for the rest of Southern Ontario.

Mix of Wet and Wintry Weather on the Way for the Maritimes, Bringing More than 20cm of Snow to Parts of New Brunswick

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More snow is on its way for New Brunswick and in a similar fashion to last week’s storm, Nova Scotia can once again expect mostly rain with the possibility of a bit of snow mixed in. The incoming system will be a mix of an Alberta clipper coming through Ontario and a secondary low from New England, and it will be another short blast of winter for the region, with the entire event spanning 24 hours.


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Things will start off around midnight tonight as snow from the Clipper pushes its way into New Brunswick. As the snow spreads eastward across the province through the early morning hours, the low from the States will merge with the Clipper, which will funnel even more moisture northward from the Gulf. This secondary source of precipitation will reach Western Nova Scotia in the pre-dawn hours. The merging of these two systems will result in some intensification starting later in the morning, leading to heavier snow and rain across the region.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia will once again find itself in the warm sector of this storm, leading to precipitation falling mostly as rain for the duration of this event. However, there is a chance for some snow showers since temperatures will be hovering just above the freezing mark in some areas along the leading edge of the storm. Unfortunately for snow lovers, no real snow accumulation is expected from this storm, with temperatures climbing throughout the day and resulting in any snow transitioning to rain. The exception to this is, once again, in the higher elevations of Cape Breton where temperatures will remain below 0°C until Thursday evening, leading to 5-10cm of snow. Widespread rainfall totals across the rest of the province are expected to be in the 20-40mm range.

New Brunswick

On the other hand, New Brunswick can expect to need the shovels at some point on Thursday. The snow from the Clipper will push its way across the province throughout the early morning, but as the rain reaches Nova Scotia, it will also push into the Fundy Coast area, limiting snowfall accumulation along this stretch. Once the two systems merge and the storm intensifies, snowfall rates could approach 3cm per hour in the afternoon across Central and Northern New Brunswick, leading to widespread snow accumulations above 10cm. In the early and mid-afternoon, warm air will wrap around the backside of the storm, resulting in a transition from snow to rain that will push northeastward into the evening. Temperatures will fall overnight, but the warm air, along with the rain, will result in the melting of some of the fresh snow across most of the province.

Prince Edward Island

The leading edge of the precipitation will reach Prince Edward Island around noon on Thursday, with some light snow that will last for several hours. This will bring up to 5cm of snow across the Island before the warm air moves in and the snow switches over to rain. Similar to New Brunswick, the warm air and rain will melt most, if not all, of the freshly fallen snow across the province throughout the evening.

The storm will start to dissipate in the early afternoon, with the arrival of the warm air in New Brunswick and it will fully exit the region shortly midnight and into Friday morning. There could still be some lingering flurries or pockets of light rain throughout early Friday morning.

Alberta Clipper to Bring a Snowy Blast to Southern Ontario on Wednesday With Up to 20cm Possible; Snowbelt Region Could See Up to 50cm

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The snowy landscape across Southern Ontario is quickly transforming as a multi-day snow squall event has blanketed parts of the snowbelt regions with over 100 cm of snow.

While the intense accumulation has primarily impacted areas around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, the rest of Southern Ontario will soon have their turn as a weather system moves into the region on Wednesday.


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This system-related snowfall will likely combine with lake enhancement and embedded snow squalls, resulting in higher accumulations in the snowbelt areas that are still digging out from the weekend’s relentless snowfall.

By Thursday morning, some snowbelt regions could see an additional 30-50 cm of snow. Meanwhile, a general 5-15 cm of snow is expected across much of Southern Ontario, including parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which has experienced minimal snowfall so far this season.

The Alberta clipper responsible for this system began pushing into Northwestern Ontario from Manitoba on Tuesday afternoon. Moderate to heavy snow will continue spreading across Northern Ontario through the evening and overnight.


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In Northern Ontario, we expected the highest snowfall totals to be found east of Lake Superior stretching from Wawa down to Sault Ste. Marie. Snowfall totals of between 30 to 50cm are possible thanks to the system-related snowfall and snow squalls off Lake Superior.

Other areas around the Georgian Bay shoreline extending into Sudbury could be looking at around 20cm of snowfall accumulation. This will also be the case south of Lake Nipigon which could see some lake enhancement between Thunder Bay and Geardton.

The rest of Northeastern Ontario is looking at around 10 to 15cm with locally up to 20cm. Less than 10cm is expected for Northwestern Ontario including Thunder Bay.


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Ahead of the system, lake effect snow has already started to intensify, beginning with Lake Superior on Tuesday afternoon. By Tuesday evening, snow squalls are expected to organize off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, primarily targeting the Bruce Peninsula and areas northeast of Georgian Bay, such as Parry Sound, Britt, and North Bay. These snow squalls are likely to persist through the night into Wednesday morning.

Additional lake effect snow could develop off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during the early morning hours of Wednesday, potentially drifting into the southern Niagara region and Prince Edward County. While this activity may cause reduced visibility and locally heavy snowfall, the squalls are not expected to remain stationary for long, limiting overall accumulation.


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As the system reaches Southern Ontario around sunrise on Wednesday, the existing lake effect snow bands are expected to merge with the system’s light to moderate snowfall. This merging could enhance snow totals, particularly off the northern shorelines of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Narrow bands of heavy snow could stretch across the Niagara region and into parts of Central and Eastern Ontario, leading to significant variations in snowfall accumulations.

Snow totals will likely vary substantially due to localized banding caused by lake enhancement. Some areas may see only 5 cm, while nearby locations could receive 15-20 cm, depending on where the snow bands develop.


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Another key factor with this system will be strong wind gusts, ranging from 50-70 km/h across Southern Ontario, beginning Wednesday morning and continuing throughout the day. These winds, combined with steady snowfall, could create blowing snow and reduced visibility, making travel hazardous. With this being the first significant snowfall event of the season outside the snowbelt, drivers are urged to exercise caution.

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While the system is expected to exit Southern Ontario by late Wednesday, snow squall activity will persist off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. An intense squall is projected to develop off Georgian Bay late Wednesday evening, stretching inland toward Midland, Orillia, and Gravenhurst, and continuing into the early hours of Thursday.


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By Thursday morning, shifting winds will push the Georgian Bay squall southward toward Collingwood and Angus. This squall may extend far inland at times, impacting the Highway 400 corridor between Vaughan and Barrie, as well as parts of the northern GTA. Meanwhile, a Lake Huron squall is anticipated to stretch from Goderich through Grand Bend and into the London area.

Significant snowfall could occur on Thursday if these squalls remain stationary for an extended period. Current models suggest they may not weaken until late Thursday night or early Friday morning, potentially producing intense snowfall rates for over 24 hours.


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Regarding snowfall totals, the uneven distribution caused by lake enhancement means localized accumulations will vary widely. The highest confidence lies in regions northeast of Georgian Bay, including Parry Sound, Sundridge, Britt, and North Bay, where 30-50 cm of snow is expected, with localized amounts possibly exceeding those totals due to snow squalls.

Surrounding areas, such as Muskoka and Orillia, could see 20-30 cm of snow by Thursday morning, accounting for system snow, lake enhancement, and snow squall activity. Similarly, areas east of Lake Huron could see totals ranging from 20-30 cm.


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In Central and Eastern Ontario, widespread snowfall is likely to range from 10-15 cm, except for the Ottawa Valley, where accumulations may be closer to 5 cm. Lake enhancement could push some areas along the northern shorelines of Lake Ontario and Prince Edward County closer to 20 cm.

For regions such as Kitchener, Woodstock, Guelph, and Barrie, snowfall totals are projected to reach 10-15 cm. However, variability due to lake enhancement may result in some areas seeing lower amounts. The GTA is expected to receive closer to 5 cm, while the Niagara region could accumulate 5-10 cm, with localized heavier bands of snow influenced by Lake Erie.


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In Deep Southwestern Ontario, snowfall amounts will decrease westward, with London forecasted to receive around 10 cm. Further southwest, including Sarnia, Windsor, and Chatham, totals are expected to remain under 5 cm.

It’s important to note that these totals do not account for the snow squalls expected to impact areas southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay beginning Thursday morning. High-resolution models are still refining the locations of these squalls, but additional accumulations of 30-50 cm are possible in affected areas. Stay tuned for a detailed update in a separate forecast.


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Snow Squalls Continue to Paralyze Ontario’s Snowbelt With Another 25-50cm of Snow by Monday

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It may have been a slow start to the winter season across Southern Ontario, but November is certainly ending with a bang. Above-average lake temperatures have fueled intense lake-effect snow squalls that have pummeled the snowbelt regions over the past few days.


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As of Saturday evening, some of the hardest-hit areas, including Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Hanover, have reported snowfall totals ranging from 50 to 100 cm, with localized pockets even exceeding the 100 cm mark! This has led to massive issues on the roads as dozens of drivers were left stranded on Hwy 11 south of Gravenhurst due to extreme snowfall accumulation.

But the snowy barrage is far from over for these regions. By the time the squalls wind down late Monday, an additional 25 to 50 cm of snow could accumulate around areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.


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Currently, intense snow squall activity is ongoing east of both lakes, with a focus on the Bala-to-Bracebridge corridor and the Tiverton-to-Walkerton stretch. These squalls are expected to remain mostly stationary overnight, with snowfall rates reaching 5 to 10 cm per hour. This could add another 25 to 50 cm of snow in already heavily affected areas by Sunday morning.

By Sunday morning, a shift in wind direction is anticipated, pushing the squalls further south. The Georgian Bay squall will likely bring a quick but intense blast of snow to Midland, Orillia, and Barrie. Meanwhile, the squall near Hanover is expected to dissipate by late morning, only to be replaced by a more robust squall moving in from the north, targeting Owen Sound and Kincardine.


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This northern squall could stretch far enough inland to reach areas like Orangeville and perhaps even the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by mid-afternoon. Although it won't last long enough to produce significant accumulation, it could lead to a sudden reduction in visibility and a quick 2 to 5 cm of snow. Similarly, Kitchener and Guelph may experience a few hours of heavy snow as the squall moves through.


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By Sunday evening, the squalls are expected to settle southeast of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Collingwood and Meaford are likely to find themselves in the crosshairs of the Georgian Bay squall, while the Lake Huron squall will stretch from Goderich along the shoreline to Grand Bend and inland towards areas north of London.

According to the latest model data, the Georgian Bay squall may remain closer to the shoreline, potentially sparing Barrie and the Hwy 400 corridor from the heaviest snow.


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However, London might not be as fortunate. The Lake Huron squall could extend into the city at times during the overnight hours and into early Monday. That said, the most intense snowfall rates are expected to stay north of London, impacting areas like Exeter, St. Marys, and Stratford.

Snow squall activity will persist throughout Monday and possibly into the overnight hours before tapering off late Tuesday morning. This will coincide with the arrival of a system from the west that could bring more widespread snowfall to parts of Southern Ontario. Details on that system will be shared in a separate forecast.


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As is typical with snow squalls, snowfall totals will vary significantly depending on where the squalls settle. There is high confidence that regions in Muskoka and along much of the eastern Lake Huron shoreline will see an additional 25 to 50 cm of snow on top of what has already fallen.

Northwest of London, models indicate the Lake Huron squall could stall over the area from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning, potentially leading to localized totals exceeding 50 cm. Confidence in this scenario remains low, so we’ve held off from including it in our snowfall map for now.

The City of London is forecast to receive 15 to 25 cm of snow from the southern tip of the Lake Huron squall. However, there is potential for slightly higher totals depending on how far the squall extends inland.


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The southern shoreline of Georgian Bay, including Collingwood and Meaford, is expected to see 25 to 50 cm of snow, with higher amounts likely in elevated areas such as Blue Mountain—great news for ski enthusiasts!

Simcoe County, including Barrie and Orillia, is forecast to receive lesser amounts, with 5 to 15 cm (possibly up to 20 cm) expected during the morning and afternoon hours on Sunday. Kitchener and Woodstock could also see 5 to 10 cm of snow from the Lake Huron squall.

Outside these core regions, snowfall will be minimal, with most areas receiving less than 5 cm. We are keeping an eye on the southern Niagara region and Prince Edward County, which could potentially be grazed by snow squall activity that is currently expected to remain south of the border. If it does drift north, localized totals of 5 to 10 cm could develop in areas like Fort Erie, Port Colborne, and Picton.

UPDATE: Squalls on Track to Bury Parts of Ontario’s Snowbelt in Up to 100cm of Snow by Saturday

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Confidence remains high for a very impactful snow squall event, which began east of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron Thursday evening. By the end of Saturday, some parts of the snowbelt region could be digging out of up to 50 to 100cm of snow!

Intense snow squall activity is expected to persist throughout Friday, with two primary squalls forming off Georgian Bay. The southern squall looks to settle between Honey Harbour and MacTier, extending inland toward the Highway 11 corridor from Washago to Bracebridge. This squall may reach as far inland as Haliburton and potentially Bancroft at times.


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The second squall is projected to stretch across the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, coming onshore near Parry Sound. Unlike the southern squall, this one may not push as far inland, meaning Huntsville could see lighter impacts compared to areas like Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.

Snow squalls will also persist east of Lake Huron, with the most significant activity setting up just south of Hanover. Higher totals inland can be attributed to colder temperatures in elevated areas, where snow will accumulate more efficiently, compared to the slightly above-freezing conditions closer to the shoreline.


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As Friday progresses, models suggest a brief wind shift by the evening, potentially driving the Georgian Bay squall south of Muskoka and into parts of northern Simcoe County.

There is some uncertainty about how far south this squall will drift, but most models suggest it will impact Midland, areas just north of Orillia, and into Rama. Within Orillia, accumulation could vary significantly, with lower totals in the south and much higher amounts in the north, reflecting the sharp gradient shown on our map.


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By Saturday morning, the squall is expected to shift back north, realigning across the Parry Sound and Muskoka region. However, this time, it may consolidate into a singular band stretching from Parry Sound into northern Muskoka. This could spare Gravenhurst and Bracebridge from heavy snowfall on a second day, while Huntsville might see more snow as the squall locks into place for much of Saturday.

IMPORTANT

To provide the most accurate information, we are now breaking the snowfall totals into two separate forecasts. This forecast covers Friday and Saturday, while a second forecast will address Sunday and Monday and will be released on Saturday.


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Our earlier forecast covered the entire four-day period and was intentionally broad to account for a wide range of possibilities. If the snowfall totals for your area are lower than what we initially predicted, it’s likely because your snow will fall later on Sunday or Monday.

As we’ve emphasized in previous updates, snow squalls are notoriously difficult to predict, with sharp gradients between areas of light snow and those with extreme accumulations.


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In terms of snowfall totals, localized amounts are likely to exceed 50 cm and may even approach 100 cm by the end of Saturday in areas like Parry Sound, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst. Similar totals are possible for Tobermory and Hanover.

Owen Sound and Collingwood could also experience heavy snow from a Lake Huron streamer, with higher elevations aiding accumulation. These areas could see snowfall ranging from 25 to 50 cm in the most affected zones.


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Given the tight gradients, snowfall totals will decrease quickly as you move away from the primary snow squalls. Expect 15 to 30 cm across much of Grey-Bruce counties, northern Simcoe County, northern Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton (excluding the heaviest-hit areas mentioned earlier).

For the rest of Southern Ontario, less than 5 cm is expected by the end of Saturday. However, regions like Barrie, Kitchener-Waterloo, and London could see some snowfall accumulation on Sunday and Monday as the winds shift late Saturday. So, if you’re hoping for snow in those areas, don’t give up yet!

Stay tuned for more updates, including our next detailed forecast on Saturday!

First Taste of Winter With Up to 30cm of Snow for Parts of the Maritimes, More Rain in Nova Scotia

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As November comes to an end, the first winter storm of the season is headed for the Maritimes. Over the past few days, we’ve been monitoring the development of a potent winter storm in the U.S. that’s expected to track into the region through New England on Thursday.

Until Wednesday morning, there had been considerable disagreement between weather models regarding the exact track of the storm through the Maritimes and where the heaviest snow would fall. As the event has gotten closer, these models have started to come into agreement and now we have a clearer picture of what is on its way.


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Precipitation will push into Southern New Brunswick starting Thursday afternoon. As the storm makes its way into the region, the precipitation will start off as rain in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia before the snow starts to make its way into New Brunswick and eventually crosses into Cumberland County, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This means that most of the Maritimes can expect to receive a few hours of rain before the arrival of any snow. This storm will have a warm sector along its southern side, with temperatures remaining in the single digits, resulting in precipitation falling as rain across most of Nova Scotia for the duration of the event.

Both the rain and snow will start to intensify later in the evening, at which time the edge of the storm will reach PEI. Snowfall rates of up to 5cm/hr are likely at times in Central and Northeast New Brunswick overnight and into Friday morning, leading over 20cm of snow accumulation in a span of 12 hours.

In Nova Scotia, on the other hand, widespread rainfall amounts of 10-30mm are expected, adding to what has already been a very wet month for parts of the province. The Annapolis Valley and the Northhumberland Shore could see a brief transition from rain to light snow overnight with temperatures approaching the freezing mark, but little to no accumulation is expected. Meanwhile, the air in the higher elevations of the Cape Breton Highlands will be cool enough for snow to fall for the duration of the storm and the area can expect 5-10cm.

In Prince Edward Island, the heavy snowfall will cross into Prince County shortly after midnight, which will lead to higher snowfall totals in that part of the Island. We’re expecting to see some warmer air getting wrapped into the backside of the storm in the early morning hours of Friday, leading to a transition from rain to snow across Southern New Brunswick and into Cumberland County and PEI and limiting the snowfall totals in these areas as the storm continues to track through the Maritimes.

The rain is expected to start to taper off in Western Nova Scotia in these early morning hours, gradually ending across the province through the morning. The rest of the storm will then begin to exit the region just before sunrise with the precipitation eventually ending by mid-afternoon in Northeast New Brunswick.

Intense Snow Squalls Could Bring Up to 50-100cm of Snow to Parts of Ontario This Weekend

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As we approach the first day of meteorological winter this Sunday, Ontario is preparing for a substantial blast of snow squalls that will make the season's arrival unmistakable. Beginning Thursday in Northern Ontario and Friday in Southern Ontario, persistent squalls are set to bury parts of the traditional snowbelt regions under as much as 50-100 cm of snow by the end of the weekend.


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The first extended period of cold air has settled over Ontario, combining with the warm waters of the Great Lakes to create ideal conditions for lake effect snow. Parry Sound and Muskoka got a preview of what’s to come, waking up to a winter wonderland on Wednesday morning. While the lake effect snow machine has temporarily quieted as winds shift, it’s poised to roar back to life over the next several days.

Snow squall activity will restart as early as Thursday morning in Northern Ontario, with an intense band developing off Lake Superior. This narrow and powerful squall is expected to affect the corridor between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie through Thursday and into Friday. Snowfall rates could reach up to 5 cm per hour, and if the band lingers over one area for an extended time, accumulation will add up quickly.


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On Thursday, a system moving up the Northeastern U.S. will brush Southern Ontario. Most of the precipitation is expected to remain on the U.S. side of the border, but some areas in Ontario, including parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Niagara region, could see light mixed precipitation or even their first flurries of the season. Little to no accumulation is expected, but slushy road conditions may develop for the Thursday morning commute.

As the system exits, winds will shift to a westerly or northwesterly direction late Thursday, triggering the return of lake-effect snow squalls. These squalls will intensify overnight and into Friday morning.


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Current models suggest the primary snow squall band will stretch across the Bruce Peninsula, move over Georgian Bay, and come ashore between Parry Sound and MacTier. Further inland, areas along the Hwy 11 corridor, including Huntsville and Gravenhurst, will also be affected.

Additional squalls are expected off Lake Huron, impacting regions such as Kincardine, Owen Sound, Hanover, Wingham, and Mount Forest.

One of the biggest concerns is the potential for squalls to remain stationary over specific areas for extended periods. Models suggest some regions could face 24-48 hours of relentless snowfall, with rates reaching 3-5 cm per hour from Friday morning to early Sunday.


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Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, and travel in affected areas should be avoided starting late Thursday. Near-zero visibility, combined with rapid snow accumulation and blowing snow, may create blizzard-like conditions. Improvements are unlikely until late in the weekend or even early next week.

By Sunday morning, a slight change in wind direction could push the Georgian Bay snow squalls southward into Simcoe County and the Kawartha Lakes region. Similarly, Lake Huron squalls may shift to target areas like Goderich, Stratford, and Listowel.

Lake Erie and Lake Ontario could also generate brief lake effect activity on Sunday, potentially impacting the Southern Niagara region, Prince Edward County, and Kingston.


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Environment Canada is also mentioning the potential for multiple rounds of lake-effect snow and squalls. They have highlighted areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in a ‘high’ weather threat for Friday and Saturday with locally up to 20-30cm of snow on both days.

There is also a ‘moderate’ weather threat on Sunday southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay with locally up to 10-20cm. Combined, Environment Canada’s forecast is suggesting that snowfall totals could range from 50 to 80cm over those 3 days!


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Snow squalls are highly localized, often only a few dozen kilometres wide, meaning snowfall totals can vary dramatically over short distances. One area might receive 50+ cm, while another just down the road may see barely a dusting.

Because of this variability, we are focusing on general zones for now. Higher-resolution models will help refine the forecast as we approach the weekend, and updates will be provided accordingly.

Snowfall totals across the traditional snowbelt regions could be significant:

  • 50-100 cm: Areas east of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, including Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Parry Sound, Owen Sound, Kincardine, Goderich, and Hanover.

  • 25-50 cm: Surrounding regions, including the Bruce Peninsula, Collingwood, Midland, and Orillia. Totals will drop quickly further from the snowbelt.

  • 5-15 cm: Localized areas in the Southern Niagara region (e.g., Port Colborne and Fort Erie) and Kingston, mainly on Sunday, if lake effect activity drifts north of the border.


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For Northern Ontario, the corridor between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie is expected to see snowfall totals between 50-100 cm from Thursday morning through late Sunday. Accumulations will taper off sharply as you move away from the Lake Superior shoreline.

Stay tuned for further updates in the coming days as we break down this dynamic weather event and provide more detailed forecast maps.

Multiple Rounds of Snow Could Bring Up to 20cm to the Grande Prairie Area By the Weekend

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Did anyone in the Grande Prairie area order more snow? Someone must have because the region is in line to receive several rounds of snowfall by the end of the week and possibly even more through the weekend. At this point, Grande Prairie and the surrounding area can expect up to 20cm of snow by Saturday morning, but with the Arctic air that has settled across the Prairies, the snow will be dry and fluffy and accumulations could end up being higher.


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The first round will begin Wednesday morning as a small pocket of light snow that will only bring trace amounts of accumulation as it quickly travels southeastward along the Rockies.

A second area of light snow will follow, starting in the late afternoon. This pocket of snow will sit over the Grande Prairie region for up to 6 hours, leading to an additional couple of centimetres of accumulation before it, too, begins to travel southeast overnight. Grande Cache could see some lingering flurries from this band of snow through Thursday morning, adding 1-2cm of snow to the area.

The third time will be the charm, with snow pushing into Grande Prairie and the surrounding area beginning Thursday afternoon. This will be a much larger area of snowfall than the previous two little pockets and the light snow will push further eastward into Alberta starting Friday morning after stalling overnight. At this time, the snow may become heavier around Grande Prairie, bringing snowfall totals from this third round above 10cm by the end of the day. This area of snow will follow a more eastward trajectory across the province and into Saskatchewan throughout the day Friday.

Saturday morning could see even more snow making its way into Grande Prairie, but there is still some disagreement between weather models on this occurring. Some models are suggesting that if this does ends up happening, there could be steady snow in the area straight into Monday afternoon, bringing an additional 20cm of snow. As we approach the end of the week, we will provide any necessary updates on this possibility.

Winter Roars Into Ontario This Week With Freezing Rain Threat; Snow Squalls Could Dump Up to 50cm of Snow

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While winter has gotten off to a slow start across Southern Ontario, with many areas only seeing their first snowfall within the past week or two, it seems that change is on the way. November is shaping up to go out like a lion, as Mother Nature makes up for lost time.


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A significant pattern shift is expected to bring the threat of freezing rain late Monday across Central and Eastern Ontario. This will be followed by multiple weaker systems across the Great Lakes region and colder air flooding into the province.

That colder air will set the stage for what could become our first major snow squall event later this week and into the weekend. In some typical snowbelt areas, snowfall could be measured in feet (30+ cm) by this time next week!

Let’s break down what is shaping up to be a very dynamic and active forecast over the next five to seven days, starting with the freezing rain threat.


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Freezing Rain Risk: Monday into Tuesday

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A system is expected to move into Southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe beginning Monday afternoon. With temperatures forecasted to stay well above freezing in these areas, precipitation will fall as rain.

However, as the system moves northeast into Central and Eastern Ontario after midnight, it will encounter a stubborn layer of colder air near the surface. Temperatures hovering near or just below freezing may allow some of the rain to fall as freezing rain overnight into early Tuesday morning.


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There remains some uncertainty about how widespread this pocket of cold air will be. Higher-elevation areas of Central and Eastern Ontario, including Bancroft, Barry’s Bay, and Algonquin Park, are most likely to experience freezing rain. It’s also possible for freezing rain to extend westward to Muskoka and Parry Sound, and eastward into the Ottawa Valley, including the City of Ottawa.

For Bancroft, Barry’s Bay, and Algonquin Park, ice accretion totals could reach 2-4 mm by Tuesday morning, though any ice will quickly melt after sunrise as temperatures rise above freezing by late morning. In Muskoka and the Ottawa Valley, a thin layer of ice on untreated surfaces is possible, which could make for a slow Tuesday morning commute. There is a slight chance of school bus cancellations in affected areas.


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Northern Ontario: Heavy Snowfall Ahead

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Northern Ontario will experience heavy snow from this same system, as colder air dominates in the region. Light to moderate snowfall is expected to begin in Northwestern Ontario by early Monday afternoon, gradually spreading eastward into the evening and overnight.

Snow will continue across Northern Ontario throughout Tuesday, with the heaviest snowfall expected near the Quebec border in Northeastern Ontario. Snowfall will gradually ease later on Tuesday and into early Wednesday but could persist near James Bay in a zone extending from Hearst to Lansdowne House.


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Over three days, snowfall totals will generally range from 10 to 20 cm across Northern Ontario. Far Northern Ontario near James Bay could see totals exceeding 20 cm by Thursday, while lake-enhanced snowfall southeast of Lake Superior, including Sault Ste. Marie, could push totals closer to 30 cm.

Thunder Bay is expected to see slightly less snow, as the city may end up in a drier part of the system. Forecasts currently suggest snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm in this area.


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Southern Ontario: Cold Air and Lake Effect Snow

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As the system moves out of Southern Ontario late Tuesday, a surge of cold air will follow in its wake. This will briefly activate the lake effect snow machine around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay beginning Tuesday evening and lasting into Wednesday.


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At this time, temperatures are expected to hover near the freezing mark, which could limit significant accumulation. The most likely target zone for this initial burst of lake effect snow includes areas east of Georgian Bay, such as Parry Sound, Huntsville, and Bracebridge. These areas could see 10-15 cm, with localized amounts of up to 20 cm by the time snow bands taper off Wednesday evening.

For higher elevations southeast of Owen Sound, including Hanover, Markdale, Shelburne, and Orangeville, up to 5-10 cm of snow is possible, as cooler temperatures in these areas will allow snow to accumulate more easily. Surrounding regions, including parts of the Greater Toronto Area, may see just a few light flurries.


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End of the Week: A Snow Squall Event Looms

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Lake effect snow will temporarily pause as another system slides through the Great Lakes region. However, this system appears to stay largely south of the border, bringing only a few flurries or light showers to areas near Lake Erie and the Golden Horseshoe early Thursday.

As we approach the weekend, Southern Ontario will see its coldest air of the season so far, with overnight lows plunging to several degrees below freezing across much of the province.


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A dominant westerly to northwesterly wind is expected to develop Friday and persist into the weekend. This setup will create ideal conditions for intense snow squalls off Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Georgian Bay starting Friday afternoon and lasting through the weekend.

These snow squalls could bring significant snowfall totals, blowing snow, and near-zero visibility to localized areas in the snowbelt. Travel could become difficult or even dangerous in the hardest-hit regions.

Based on the current forecasted wind direction, regions including Kincardine, Owen Sound, Hanover, Midland, Oro, Orillia, and Gravenhurst are likely to see the heaviest impacts. This also extends up into Northern Ontario around the Lake Superior shoreline with Sault Ste. Marie in the bullseye. Some locations within this zone could receive up to 50 cm of snow by the end of the weekend.


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Snow Squall Uncertainty

It’s important to note that snow squalls are highly localized events, and not everyone will experience intense snowfall totals. One area may receive significant snow accumulations, while locations just a few kilometres away might see only a dusting.

Confidence is high that some sort of snow squall event will occur, but exact locations will depend on the finer details of wind direction and temperatures.

CREDIT: Environment CANADA

Environment Canada has also mentioned the potential for significant snow squalls later this week:

The first significant lake effect snow of the season is likely beginning Friday. This has the potential to be a highly disruptive and prolonged event for areas near Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and eastern Lake Superior. While confidence is medium to high that lake effect snow and blowing snow will occur, confidence in exact locations to be affected as well as snowfall accumulations is low. As is normally the case in these situations, snowfall amounts will be highly variable. Some areas may see well in excess of 50 cm by the end of the weekend. - Environment Canada

Stay tuned for updated forecasts in the coming days as higher-resolution models provide more details. We’ll refine the snow squall forecast and pinpoint areas most at risk.


Second Storm This Week Will Dump Even More Snow Across Saskatchewan & Manitoba This Weekend

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We hope you’ve kept your shovels handy following the storm earlier this week because there is even more snow on its way for Saskatchewan and Manitoba this weekend.

Thankfully this storm will be less complex than the previous one and the situation in two particular areas will be different this time around. The western edge of Saskatchewan, where next to no snow fell during the previous storm, is now in the crosshairs with more than 20cm of snow expected. Meanwhile, those in Winnipeg and the Eastman Region, who received drenching rains within the warm sector of the earlier storm, will finally see some snow, but overall accumulations will be limited.

Since last night’s preliminary forecast, model data has trended slightly to the north. This means that areas along the boundaries from the previous forecast could see either an increase or decrease in projected snowfall totals.


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We’ve already seen a bit of light snow pushing its way into Southwest Saskatchewan from Alberta this afternoon and while this snowfall is associated with the expected storm, its a precursor band that will bring less than 5cm of snow to a small area that includes Maple Creek and Shaunavon.

The main event will begin Saturday morning, as the more organized band of snow pushes into Saskatchewan. It will start as light snow, but gradually intensify through the late morning and continuing overnight as the storm makes its way across the province. The heaviest snow is expected to fall mostly in Western Saskatchewan, leading to over 20cm of accumulation from Kindersley to Wynard by Sunday morning. At that point, there will only be some lingering light snow in Northern Saskatchewan that will continue into Monday morning.

The snow will remain steady as it crosses into Manitoba starting Saturday evening in the Westman Region and then the Parkland Region around midnight. The storm will begin to lose intensity by the time it moves into the Interlake Region on Sunday morning and as a result, there will be a decrease in snow accumulation down to 5-10cm, with only light snow falling for the remainder of the day. Since the storm will have a slight northeasterly trajectory as it crosses Manitoba, communities along the American border and into Winnipeg will see less than 5cm of snow fall.

The snow will begin to taper off Monday morning across Manitoba, with some scattered flurries continuing until late in the day, at which time the storm will exit the region.

One of the biggest challenges during the last storm was the blowing snow due to high winds. While the winds are not expected to be quite as intense this time around, gusts up to 50km/h could reduce visibility and result in some road closures, particularly through Southern Saskatchewan.

Winter Storm Could Dump Over 20cm of Snow in Southern Alberta This Weekend

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After missing out on the heavy snowfall that hit Saskatchewan and Manitoba earlier this week, Alberta now gets its turn, with a winter storm slated to hit this weekend. Much of Central and Southern Alberta can expect to see 10-20cm of fresh snow by Sunday afternoon, but a precursor blast of snow ahead of the main event means that the southeast could receive upwards of 30cm.


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Following some scattered flurries overnight throughout Southern Alberta, the first round of snow will move into the province late Friday morning from the southwest. This band will build northward along the Rockies and spread northeastward across Southern and Central Alberta throughout the afternoon and evening. The snow will be heavy at times in the south, leading to a quick accumulation of 5-10cm for areas south of Calgary.

Late Friday evening and overnight, as the snow continues spreading north into Grande Cache and areas north of Edmonton, the second round of snow will start making its way into Southern Alberta along the same track as the first. This more organized band will merge with the initial round of snow in the early morning hours of Saturday and will intensify starting in the Southern Rockies shortly before dawn. Snowfall rates are expected to exceed 2cm/hr, leading to rapid accumulation in the morning and early afternoon along a stretch from Pincher Creek to Oyen. It’s in this area that residents can expect to receive more than 20cm of snow by late Saturday.

To the north, the snow will spread into the Grande Prairie area in the early hours of Saturday when the storm becomes more organized. As the system gradually pushes eastwards throughout the day Saturday and into early Sunday, the snow across Central Alberta and parts of Northern Alberta is expected to be steady and light, resulting in widespread totals of 5-20cm. Most of the Rockies will be skipped over by the second round of snow, leading to a limited amount of snow accumulation overall from this storm.

Another Snowstorm Could Dump Up to 30cm of Snow on Saskatchewan & Manitoba This Weekend

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As residents across parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba begin digging out from the first significant snowfall of the season, another winter storm is already on the horizon.

Snowfall is expected to start in western Saskatchewan as early as Saturday morning, with the worst conditions anticipated over the weekend. By the time the system wraps up on Monday, widespread snow accumulation of 15 to 30 cm is likely.


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Although current model data shows good consistency regarding the storm's intensity and track, it’s still over 24 hours away, and some slight adjustments are possible. Be sure to check back on Friday for our updated forecast, which will include more precise snowfall accumulation predictions.

A teaser of what’s to come will arrive on Friday as light snow begins moving into southwestern Saskatchewan during the afternoon. This snowfall isn’t expected to spread far across the province and should mostly fizzle out by Saturday morning. Areas like Maple Creek and Shaunavon could see a few centimeters of accumulation, possibly up to 5 cm.


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However, the break in snowfall will be brief, as another wave of precipitation sweeps into the province from Alberta. This system will begin as light snow late Saturday morning, gradually increasing in intensity throughout the afternoon.

By the evening, snowfall will have reached Saskatoon and Regina, with moderate to heavy snow spreading across much of Saskatchewan. The worst conditions are expected overnight into Sunday morning, when snowfall rates will peak.

Blowing snow could also pose a concern, with wind gusts of 40-50 km/h reducing visibility on roads. While conditions aren’t expected to meet blizzard criteria, drivers should anticipate poor travel conditions and potential highway closures beginning Saturday evening, particularly in western Saskatchewan. Road conditions will likely remain hazardous until Sunday afternoon, starting with improvements in the western parts of the province.


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By the early hours of Sunday, snowfall will have reached western Manitoba, with its intensity ramping up through the morning. Current forecasts suggest the heaviest snowfall will target central portions of western Manitoba, including the Interlake region.

Brandon is expected to see snow begin late Sunday morning, with light to moderate snowfall continuing throughout the day. Winnipeg will likely see snow begin in the early afternoon, continuing into the evening and overnight hours.

Snowfall will gradually taper off by Monday morning, with lingering flurries in central parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.


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The storm is expected to lose some intensity as it progresses eastward across the Prairies. This means the highest snowfall totals will likely occur in western and central Saskatchewan. Snowfall amounts of 20-30 cm are expected in these areas by Monday morning, with localized pockets exceeding 30 cm. Locations such as Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Regina, and Kindersley are within this high-impact zone.

For the rest of Saskatchewan, snowfall amounts are forecast to range between 5 and 15 cm, with some areas potentially nearing 20 cm depending on the storm’s exact track. We’ve opted for a general forecast of "up to 20 cm" for now but expect refinements in our final update.

In Manitoba, western regions—including areas already hit hard by the earlier storm this week—can expect 10-15 cm, with isolated totals approaching 20 cm. Areas east of Brandon, including Winnipeg, are forecast to see lighter accumulations of 5-10 cm. Snowfall totals will taper off further north, with minimal impacts expected in northern Manitoba.


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ESTIMATED WIND CHILL ON SATURDAY MORNING - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

One significant difference between this storm and the one earlier this week is the temperature. This event will be accompanied by much colder air, meaning it will produce all snow, with no risk of mixed precipitation. Additionally, colder temperatures will result in higher snowfall ratios, so it won’t take much liquid precipitation to produce substantial snowfall amounts.


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This colder air also brings added risks for anyone traveling during the storm. Extremely cold wind chills are expected to develop as early as Saturday, with some areas feeling like the -20s across Saskatchewan and into Manitoba. If you get stranded on the roads, staying warm may be difficult, so it’s highly recommended to avoid travel during this storm.

Season’s First Snowfall Possible for Wide Swath of Southern Ontario Starting Late Wednesday

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Over the past week, calm conditions have dominated the weather story across Southern Ontario. This pattern has also brought a return to more seasonal temperatures typical for this time of year, a noticeable shift from the unseasonably warm weather that lingered into early November.


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One notable absence so far this season is snow—a staple of November in Southern Ontario. While some regions, especially higher elevations in Central Ontario, the Ottawa Valley, and the Dundalk Highlands, experienced their first flurries as early as September and October, much of Southern Ontario has yet to see its first snowfall.

That, however, could soon change with the arrival of multiple weather systems in the coming days, bringing colder air and the potential for wet flurries as early as Wednesday evening and into Thursday and Friday.

The good news for those not yet ready to embrace winter is that significant accumulation isn’t expected with this initial blast of wintry weather. Temperatures are forecast to hover just above freezing, which will likely limit accumulation as any snow melts upon contact with the wet and relatively warm ground left behind by earlier rainfall.


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In addition to the season’s first flurries, a slow-moving system will stall over the Great Lakes region, pulling in moisture from another system over New England. This setup will lead to ample precipitation, with heavy rain expected to persist into the start of the weekend. Eastern Ontario is poised to bear the brunt of this rainfall, with totals ranging from 25 to 50 mm between Wednesday and Saturday.

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The rain is expected to begin on Wednesday afternoon, with the initial band of heavy rain arriving in Deep Southwestern Ontario and areas near the Lake Erie shoreline by dinnertime.

This line of precipitation may also bring embedded, non-severe thunderstorms and wind gusts of 70-80 km/h. While most gusts are expected to remain below the severe threshold, isolated gusts near 90 km/h are possible, particularly over the Niagara region during the early evening hours.


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PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

As this line of rain races across Southwestern Ontario and into the Golden Horseshoe, colder air will begin rushing in from the west. However, there is some disagreement among models regarding how quickly temperatures will drop and how rapidly the precipitation will move. Some projections suggest a sharp cooldown, with temperatures in Southwestern Ontario nearing freezing by Wednesday evening.

If this happens, rain could transition to wet snow in areas such as Sarnia, London, Goderich, Kitchener, Guelph, and Orangeville. However, with earlier rainfall and temperatures still above freezing, any snow is likely to melt on contact. Elevated areas northwest of the GTA, particularly the Dundalk Highlands, may see light accumulation of up to 2-4 cm overnight into Thursday morning.


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PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

By Thursday morning, most of the moisture will shift into Central and Eastern Ontario, with the centre of the low-pressure system stalled over Lake Huron. Meanwhile, a secondary system over New England will provide additional moisture, enhancing precipitation over Eastern Ontario throughout the day.

Temperatures in parts of Eastern Ontario, particularly southwest of Ottawa and in higher elevations, will hover near the freezing mark, creating a chance for wet flurries. Closer to the international border extending into the Ottawa region, heavy rain will likely continue.

Precipitation is expected to persist overnight Thursday and linger into Friday, with the heaviest rain focused on Eastern Ontario. In Central and Southwestern Ontario, lingering showers are possible Friday morning and afternoon, though they won’t be as intense as in the east.


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For rainfall totals, Eastern Ontario, including Kingston and Ottawa, can expect 25 to 50 mm by Saturday. The rest of Southern Ontario will likely see 10 to 25 mm, though isolated pockets could receive closer to 30-40 mm during thunderstorm activity.

Higher elevations in Eastern Ontario, particularly near Bancroft, may see persistent snow showers that could result in minor accumulation of up to 2-5 cm by Friday morning. However, with temperatures so close to freezing, it’s uncertain how much snow will stick.


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Looking ahead to the weekend, there’s good news for those not ready for snow. Earlier model predictions suggested a significant cooldown that could trigger lake-effect snow. However, the latest data indicates the cooldown won’t be as intense as initially thought.

While some lake-effect showers are still possible along the Lake Huron shoreline and southeast of Georgian Bay on Saturday, it likely won’t be cold enough for those showers to fall as snow.

First Major Winter Storm of the Year Will Bring Up to 50cm of Snow and Blizzard Conditions to Saskatchewan & Manitoba

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The first major winter storm of the season for the Prairies is here, with rain already falling in Southeast Saskatchewan along with pockets of freezing rain and snow. In last night’s preliminary forecast, we discussed the complexity of this multi-day storm and now that the storm is on our doorstep, there is more confidence in the forecast. Some areas of Central and Northern Saskatchewan and into Northern Manitoba could now see upwards of 50cm by the end of Wednesday, with blizzard conditions possible in the south.


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As mentioned above, the first round of precipitation from this event has already made its way into Saskatchewan this afternoon. Rain is falling in Southeast and East Central Saskatchewan and there is snow further north, in the Hudson Bay area. The rain will transition over to snow as we progress through the evening with the heaviest snow expected to fall east of Prince Albert, from Melfort through to Cumberland House, starting later in the evening and continuing straight through to Wednesday morning.

As this band of precipitation pushes eastward into Manitoba overnight and into the early morning hours of Tuesday, it will encounter a strong low pressure system coming north out of the States. This incoming system from the south will bring steady rain, that is heavy at times, to Southern Manitoba throughout Tuesday morning. When the two systems meet, they will merge to form one large storm and by late Tuesday morning, cooler air will be pulled towards the centre of the storm from Northern Saskatchewan, leading to a transition of rain to snow with a brief period of freezing rain in the Westman Region.

By Tuesday afternoon, the snow will start to ease in Saskatchewan, but snowfall rates in Manitoba, on the other hand, will increase, leading to quick accumulations of snow. It’s at this point that the winds will start to pick up. Sustained winds of 40km/h and gusts exceeding 70km/h, combined with the heavy snowfall, will likely lead to blowing snow and blizzard conditions overnight Tuesday through to Wednesday morning.

This storm will finally diminish Wednesday afternoon, leading to a gradual tapering off of snow throughout the region.

‘Blizzard Conditions Possible’; Winter Storm Could Dump Up to 30cm of Snow on Parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba Early This Week

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Mother Nature isn’t holding back as a powerful winter storm sets its sights on Saskatchewan and Manitoba, starting late Monday. This storm will bring heavy snow, strong winds, and even blizzard conditions, marking the region’s first significant taste of winter. Some areas in Eastern Saskatchewan and Western Manitoba could see up to 30 cm of snow, with localized amounts possibly exceeding that by the end of Wednesday.


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Sustained winds of 40 km/h, with gusts reaching 70–80 km/h, are expected to create blowing snow, particularly overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Blizzard conditions could develop in some areas. Prepare for hazardous travel, as highway closures are likely in the hardest-hit regions.

Before diving into the details, it’s important to note that this is a complex storm, with snowfall accumulating over multiple days. This preliminary forecast provides a general idea of the storm’s potential impacts, but adjustments are likely as the system approaches. Stay tuned for updates, including a more detailed snowfall accumulation map in the coming days.


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PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

The storm will begin in Saskatchewan late Monday afternoon or evening, as precipitation moves into the province from the south. The first round of snowfall will primarily impact Central and Northeastern Saskatchewan, with areas like Prince Albert and Nipawin expected to see the heaviest snow through late Monday.

Overnight Monday into early Tuesday, precipitation in Saskatchewan will merge with an approaching system from the south, targeting Manitoba. The exact track of this system remains uncertain, but it’s expected to bring significant precipitation to Manitoba throughout Tuesday.


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PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

Initially, much of Eastern Manitoba, including Winnipeg, will see heavy rain. By Tuesday late morning or early afternoon, colder air will begin to wrap into the region, creating a risk of freezing rain in parts of Southwestern Manitoba, including Brandon and Portage la Prairie.

Meanwhile, heavy snow will persist across Eastern Saskatchewan, where Arctic air is firmly in place. There is some uncertainty about how far west the precipitation will extend into Saskatchewan, but the heaviest snow is expected closer to the Manitoba border.


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PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

By Tuesday late afternoon, most of Manitoba will transition from rain to snow as colder air overtakes above-freezing temperatures. Heavy snow will continue through the overnight hours into Wednesday morning.


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SUSTAINED WIND SPEED - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

Strong winds, with sustained speeds near 40 km/h and gusts of up to 70 km/h, will develop late Tuesday and persist into much of Wednesday. Combined with heavy snowfall, this will likely lead to blowing snow and blizzard-like conditions, particularly in parts of Eastern Saskatchewan and Western Manitoba.

As the system exits the region later on Wednesday, the snowfall will gradually taper off. However, this storm will usher in the coldest air of the season so far, with temperatures dropping to -10°C to -20°C by the end of the week.


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Snowfall Accumulation

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Monday

By the end of Monday, snowfall totals are expected to reach 5–10 cm in parts of Central and Eastern Saskatchewan, including Prince Albert, Melfort, and Tisdale. Surrounding areas, such as Saskatoon and Wynyard, could see up to 5 cm of snow.


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Tuesday and Wednesday

From Tuesday through Wednesday, snowfall totals are expected to range between 15 and 30 cm across much of the affected region. The heaviest accumulations are anticipated near the Saskatchewan–Manitoba border, where localized totals could exceed 30 cm. Elevation will play a significant role, especially in Western Manitoba, where areas of higher terrain could see as much as 30–40 cm.


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In Central and Eastern Manitoba, snowfall amounts are harder to pinpoint, as the transition from rain to snow will dictate final totals. Portage la Prairie could see 15–25 cm, while Winnipeg may only receive 10–15 cm, depending on how long the rain lingers before changing to snow.

A similar uncertainty exists in Saskatchewan, but for a different reason—how far west the moisture will penetrate into the province. Some forecasts keep the heaviest precipitation closer to the Manitoba border, while others push it further west. Regina sits on the edge of the higher accumulation zone, with current estimates suggesting 5–15 cm for the city and surrounding areas.

Up to 10cm of Snow Could Cause Traffic Headaches For Calgary Area to Start the Week

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The week will start off messy for those in Calgary and the surrounding area with up to 10cm of snow expected to fall on Monday. While not a large amount of snow, its morning arrival will likely make the commute longer than usual. Those in this area will definitely want to give themselves extra time to reach their destination in the morning.


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The snow will cross the Rockies into the province after midnight tonight, spreading eastward into Calgary by 2AM and then into Wheatland County shortly thereafter. This area can expect the snow to be heavy at times over the course of roughly 8-10 hours, leading to upwards of 10cm of accumulation by the afternoon. Light snow is expected to cross towards the Saskatchewan border by mid-morning, with the system losing organization in the afternoon. This will result in scattered flurries possible throughout Southern Alberta continuing into the overnight and early morning hours of Tuesday, leading to snowfall accumulations of less than 5cm.