Toronto started Wednesday shrouded in thick fog and damp air, but the city’s relatively calm conditions won’t last long. A powerful pattern shift is unfolding across Ontario, setting the stage for strong winds in the GTA and a prolonged lake-effect snowstorm across several regions.
Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for Toronto, warning of near-zero visibility during the morning commute. Drivers are being cautioned to slow down and to be mindful of these conditions until the fog gradually thins.
“Locally dense fog has developed and will persist into early this morning before dissipating,” Canada’s weather agency states.
A special weather statement is also in place for expected wind gusts later Wednesday, with speeds potentially reaching 70 to 80 km/h. Those winds could make for tricky conditions for high-profile vehicles, pedestrians, and anyone near unsecured outdoor objects.
Ontario’s bigger weather story: multi-day snow squalls
While Toronto dodges the heaviest snow, large swaths of southern and northern Ontario are preparing for a multi-day snow squall outbreak beginning late Wednesday and stretching into the weekend.
Forecasters warn this setup — created by much colder air sweeping over the Great Lakes — could unleash persistent, intense bands of lake-effect snow in traditional snowbelt regions. Communities downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay could see 15 to 30 centimetres or more, with whiteout conditions at times as strong winds whip snow across open areas.
As of Wednesday morning, there are numerous winter storm warnings across the province, including Lake Superior Park, Thunder Bay, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins and Wawa, to name a few.
Roads in these regions may become treacherous with little warning. Visibility could drop to near zero within minutes during the strongest bursts.
Farther north, a developing system near Lake Superior is expected to tap into that same cold air mass, bringing widespread snowfall totals that may exceed 30 centimetres in some areas.
What to expect for Toronto: Will the city be hit as hard, or avoid the storm entirely?
Toronto and the GTA are expected to escape the worst of the heavy snow, but the incoming Arctic air will still be felt. Light precipitation may mix with flurries on Thursday and Friday, and wind chills will make temperatures plunge well below seasonal norms.
Overnight, there is a 40 per cent chance of flurries or rain showers, with temperatures falling to 0°C and gusty winds continuing.
Thursday will be cloudy with blowing snow at times for the city. It will also be windy, with a daytime high of 1°C. Heavy flurries are expected overnight, with a low of –2°C and a morning wind chill near –10°C by Saturday morning.
Residents heading out of the city — toward cottage country, the Bruce Peninsula, or the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay — should be prepared for rapidly worsening conditions.
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