An unwelcome late-season winter storm is set to collide with Toronto’s spring-like warmth, bringing a messy mix of snow and freezing rain to the city later this week.
While today’s balmy double-digit temperatures may have you thinking it’s finally time to retire your heavy parka, Mother Nature has other plans. Following a stretch of sunny, record-breaking warmth, a powerful weather system is currently tracking toward southern Ontario, threatening to turn our brief spring preview back into a winter wonderland.
What To Expect
The shift begins late Tuesday with a surge of heavy rain and the potential for thunderstorms, but the real weather whiplash arrives mid-week. As a cold front pushes through the region on Wednesday night, those mild breezes will be replaced by a sharp drop in temperature, ahead of a significant wintry event on Thursday and Friday.
Current weather models suggest a messy combination of light snow and a persistent band of freezing rain that could blanket the GTA. With temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, the Thursday morning commute is expected to be particularly treacherous for drivers and pedestrians alike. Forecasters are calling for up to 18 mm of mixed precipitation, making this one of the more substantial spring storms.
The Silver Lining
The good news is that this blast of winter appears to be short-lived; while Thursday will feel raw and chilly, temperatures are expected to rebound quickly. By the time the weekend rolls around, the city should see the return of double-digit highs, helping to wash away any lingering slush from this late-March surprise.
Until then, you may want to keep the salt and the ice scraper handy. The official spring thaw is coming, but Toronto has at least one more icy hurdle to clear before we can safely say goodbye to the snow for good.
