Outages, delays likely as major winter storm hits Ontario

Blizzard risk builds in the northeast

Strong winds and heavy snow over northeastern Ontario are forecast to bring whiteout conditions across the region into Monday morning. Areas east of Lake Superior are also at risk of seeing blizzard conditions, making highway travel downright dangerous, especially around Wawa, Chapleau, and Timmins.

Areas hardest hit by the heavy snow could see up to 30-50+ cm by the time the storm passes. Folks should expect some road and highway closures.

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Those near and south of Sault Ste. Marie are forecast to see a bit of a wintry mix in addition to the heavy snow, impacting travel along Highway 1 toward Sudbury and North Bay.

Heavy rains threaten flooding in southern Ontario

Warmer temperatures over southern Ontario paired with the high atmospheric moisture brought heavy late-December rains to the region late Sunday.

While monthly rainfall averages across the south in December stay around 40-50 mm, we could see 50+ mm of rain locally north of Lake Erie, including the Grand River watershed, in a 12-hour period.

However, due to recent cold temperatures, the ground across much of the region is frozen, which will significantly limit the amount of rainfall absorbed into the ground and increase the risk of flooding.