Tricky travel in parts of Ontario with snow, freezing drizzle risk

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

No break from the wintry weather in southern Ontario as another clipper system threatens more snowfall accumulations through Wednesday, as well as the chance for freezing drizzle in parts of the region.

With cleanup and recovery efforts from Monday's powerful snowstorm still ongoing, Mother Nature isn't wasting time in bringing another round of snow to southern Ontario courtesy of another clipper -- though will be much tamer by comparsison to Monday. Those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Niagara region can breathe a sigh of relief, however, as most of the heaviest accumulations will be confined to the usual snowbelt regions and eastern Ontario through Wednesday. On top of that, the risk of freezing drizzle Wednesday morning in parts of northeastern, central and eastern Ontario may impact travel as roads will be slippery. More on the timing and impacts of this next clipper system, below.


PHOTOS: WINTER STORM WALLOPS ONTARIO, QUEBEC, DRIVERS SHOVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY


WEDNESDAY: NEXT CLIPPER SYSTEM THREATENS MORE WIDESPREAD SNOW, FREEZING DRIZZLE

The snow squalls may have ended, but a clipper will bring in another round of widespread snow to the province through Wednesday. Winter weather travel advisories and snowfall warnings are in effect in northern, central and eastern Ontario.

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Snow will continue to spread across northeastern and southern Ontario through the overnight hours Tuesday. Snow will then taper to flurries Wednesday morning.

Through Wednesday morning, in parts of northeastern and eastern Ontario, as well as cottage country, there will also be the risk for freezing drizzle before temperatures moderate in the early afternoon. A sharp cold front will push through the region late afternoon, which will cause temperatures to abruptly drop back below freezing.

The combination of accumulating snow, freezing drizzle, and falling temperatures late afternoon will make for hazardous road conditions, particularly for untreated surfaces.

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Snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm is expected for areas just east of Georgian Bay, eastern Ontario along the Quebec border including Ottawa and up to 15 cm for areas near Lake Huron. Much less as you head further inland away from Lake Huron, with just a couple of centimetres for most of the GTA and Niagara.

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Parts of southern Ontario, including the GTA, will see temperatures rise above the freezing mark on Wednesday morning, before the front moves through. This will switch the light snow to either slushy wet snow, mixing or straight rain - especially along the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

Precipitation eases across southern and eastern Ontario through the evening hours before another shot of lake-effect snow targets similar communities south and east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay that will linger into Thursday evening.

WATCH | SNOW HEADACHE CONTINUES FOR GTA, ROADS FINALLY GETTING CLEARED

BEYOND: ANOTHER SHOT OF ARCTIC AIR LOCKS IN FOR LATE JANUARY

Frigid weather returns Thursday through Saturday with temperatures that will rival the coldest weather that we have seen so far this winter. High temperatures will struggle to reach -20°C for Ottawa and overnight lows will be near -30. They will be even colder rural areas.

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Temperatures in the GTA will drop to near or below -20°C, resulting in a noticeable increase in ice coverage on the Great Lakes. Another shot of Arctic air will keep temperatures well below seasonal early and mid-next week. A nor’easter is expected to track well south of the region this weekend. It completely miss the region but will still keep an eye on this potential system.

Also next week, forecasters are watching the potential for a clipper or two next week. A cold pattern will continue through the end of January and possibly into the first week of February, but a milder pattern should develop in early February. However, winter storms will still be possible.

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