Ahh, spring in Canada. Ontario’s unpredictable March weather is here to remind us who’s really in charge, as the southern part of the province is bracing for another dramatic weather rollercoaster this week.
According to the Weather Network’s latest report, you’ll want to keep those parkas handy, as we’ll be swinging from double-digit warmth and thunderstorms to a sudden deep freeze.
The week will start off with a mix of messy conditions as a powerful low-pressure system targets the Great Lakes. While northern Ontario prepares for a massive snowstorm, temperatures in the GTA and surrounding regions are expected to climb into the low double digits by Monday afternoon, with some areas in eastern Ontario potentially hitting the 20 degree C mark. You might even hear a few rumbles of thunder as heavy rain showers sweep through the region.
Don’t let the Monday mildness fool you; Experts are warning of a “dramatic temperature drop” occurring late Monday night into Tuesday. In some parts of the province, temperatures could plummet by as much as 20 C to 25 C in just 12 hours.
In the coming days, be prepared for damaging wind gusts between 80-100 km/h especially along the lake shores, which could lead to power outages. As temperatures tank on Monday night, lingering puddles and wet roads will freeze instantly, creating dangerously slick flash freeze conditions for the Tuesday morning commute.
While the GTA may escape the heaviest accumulation, the snowbelts near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay could see up to 20 cm of fresh powder by Tuesday.
If you’re planning to travel toward cottage country or eastern Ontario, be sure to check the road conditions frequently, as visibility and traction are expected to change in a heartbeat.
Stay safe, Toronto; this week is shaping up to be one of the most volatile stretches of weather we’ve seen all year.
