A large-scale, impactful storm moving over the Great Lakes has prompted widespread warnings across the province of Ontario.
Heavy snowfall, potentially damaging winds, blizzard conditions, and icy roads and surfaces are all hazards of this multi-day Christmas storm.
RELATED: Multiple GTA school boards to close schools Friday due to winter storm
Before dawn on Friday morning, between 5 and 15 cm of snow was already recorded in parts of northern Ontario, with more than 5 cm recorded in the city of Ottawa. About 22,000 customers were without power early Friday, with most outages reported in eastern Ontario, according to Hydro One. That number jumped to about 60,000 before lunch.
Meanwhile, school boards in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the National Capital Region made the call Thursday to close their doors ahead of the storm and deteriorating conditions.
WestJet also canceled all flights from Pearson on Friday, saying the weather situation across Canada “is unlike anything we’ve experienced.”
Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm
Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter” David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter” David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter David Piano Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter” David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 # blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter” David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter”
— David Piano (@ONwxchaser) David Piano on Twitter: “Blizzard in Crystal Beach, ON. #ONStorm #blizzard2022 #blizzard @ECCCWeatherON @NWSBUFFALO pic.twitter.com/uy0Y2eTRGm / Twitter”
Winter storm warnings cover almost all of southern and eastern Ontario, with blizzard warnings in effect for much of the Huron Coast as well as a portion of the Niagara Peninsula.
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Friday: Temperatures plummet as strong winds pick up
Conditions began to deteriorate steadily across the province overnight Thursday as the center of this powerful low pressure system moved into the heart of the Great Lakes region.
For many areas, Friday’s high temperature will occur in the early morning before much colder air swirling around the low causes temperatures to plummet. Windsor dropped 14C overnight, sitting at -10C, with a wind chill of -22 on Friday morning.
As temperatures quickly drop below freezing, wet surfaces can turn to ice and become slick in a hurry. A flash freeze is possible as wind chill values develop and persist through the weekend.
For the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and southern Ontario, the rain that started in the region on Thursday turned to snow as temperatures dropped into Friday morning.
While the GTA won’t have to deal with heavy snow accumulations this time around, the number of people traveling to areas with dangerous conditions makes it critical to stay on top of what’s happening in the region.
Wind gusts will continue to intensify throughout the day on Friday as this powerful and dynamic system exerts its influence over the region.
Lakeshore communities along Huron, Erie and Ontario could see gusts in excess of 90 km/h, with widespread gusts of 70 to 80 km/ha across the rest of southern Ontario.
WATCH: Time is running out on the big winter storm moving through Ontario
In addition to the risk of power outages and damage, these high winds could lead to blizzard conditions and blackouts in snow-covered areas.
“Remember that it doesn’t take much accumulation combined with very strong winds for whiteout conditions to develop,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in its winter storm warning. “Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.”
Travel along the 401 corridor east of Toronto and into Kingston is strongly discouraged.
I can’t say this strongly enough – this afternoon and evening is going to be one of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever seen for the 401 east of Toronto through Kingston. Anyone on the road should be prepared to get stuck in blizzard conditions. #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/ViYsqYG5UW
I can’t say this strongly enough – this afternoon and evening is going to be one of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever seen for the 401 east of Toronto through Kingston. Anyone on the road should be prepared to get stuck in blizzard conditions. Chris Scott on Twitter: “I can’t say this strongly enough – this afternoon and evening is going to be one of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever seen for the 401 east of Toronto through Kingston. Anyone in the road should be prepared to be stranded. due to blizzard conditions. #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/ViYsqYG5UW / Twitter” Chris Scott on Twitter: “I can’t say this strongly enough: this afternoon and evening will be some of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever seen for the 401 east of Toronto through Kingston. Anyone on the road should be prepared to get stuck due to blizzard conditions . #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/ViYsqYG5UW / Twitter”
— Chris Scott (@ChrisScottWx) Chris Scott on Twitter: “I can’t say it enough: This afternoon and tonight is going to be one of the worst driving conditions I’ve ever seen for the 401 east of Toronto through from Kingston. Anyone on the road should be prepared to be stranded due to storm conditions. #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/ViYsqYG5UW / Twitter”
Visibility can change quickly with strong winds and heavy snow.
This is the kind of setup that can leave commuters stranded on the roads, no less a threat when it’s so cold and windy.
Strong southwesterly winds across the lakes will also cause large waves, as well as a risk of ice floes and ice accumulation along the coast.
Saturday (Christmas Eve): intense snow squalls set in
Howling winds will continue in Ontario through Saturday, bringing heavy snow flurries to traditional snow belts.
Lake-heavy snow flurries are likely in Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, and Lake Erie. Road closures are likely as heavy snowfall combines with strong winds of up to 100 km/h to cause widespread whiteout conditions.
Regions caught under these snow flurries could see 50-75 cm of snow by the end of the weekend. Exact measurements will be complicated by snow and drift in strong winds.
Sunday (Christmas Day): Conditions gradually improve as the system moves east
Christmas Day itself looks much better in most of Ontario’s population centers as the storm moves north and east of the province.
Snow squalls will remain a threat to the snow belts and some communities near Lakes Erie and Ontario. This lake-effect snow could meander and move across southern Ontario at times during the day on Sunday.
Check the forecast if you plan to travel on Christmas Day to see if there is any chance of snow flurries along your route. The squalls will continue throughout the day and slowly clear until Boxing Day Monday.
WATCH: Your holiday storm questions answered by our meteorologists
Check back for the latest forecasts in Southern Ontario.
ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about the incoming #ONStorm #QCStorm 🎙❄
ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist The Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about the #ONStorm entry #QCStorm 🎙❄ along with Meteorologist / Twitter ” Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about the entry #ONStorm #QCStorm 🎙❄ / Twitter” The Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and meteorologist @KMacTWN answer your questions about the entry #ONStorm #QCStorm 🎙❄ / Twitter” and weather expert The Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @Wx with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN respond to your questions about the entry #ONStorm #QCStorm 🎙❄ / Twitt er” answers your questions about the entry The Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with meteorologists @ThatMetGirl @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about the incoming #ONStorm #QCStorm 🎙❄ / Twitter” Weather Network on Twitter: “ICYMI: Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about the #ONStorm #QCStorm entry 🎙❄ / Twitter” 🎙❄ The Weather Network on Twitter: ” : Our Chief Meteorologist @ChrisScottWx along with @ThatMetGirl meteorologists @matt_grinter and weather expert @KMacTWN answer your questions about…