Ontario: Snow, sharp wind chills mark end of long weekend
Sharply falling temperatures overnight will drop wind chill values into the -20s.
A glancing shot of snow added a wintry note to a chilly Family Day weekend across the Lower Great Lakes, while the new work week features another bout with extreme cold and beyond, a renewed chance for freezing rain. We break down what you need to know, below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Isolated snow squalls around Niagara end overnight, clearer skies Tuesday
Next system moves in for Wednesday; rain, snow, ice possible
Temperature see-saw for the week ahead
Latest weather alerts HERE
BITTER WIND CHILLS FOR BACK TO WORK, SCHOOL
Toronto's medical officer of health issued an extreme cold weather alert for the city early Monday morning. The alert will be in place "until further notice" according to the statement issued by the office.
While temperatures hover around the -10ºC mark in the city, brisk winds have pushed wind chill values into the minus teens, and as temperatures fall, those will worsen through the overnight hours into Tuesday, though temperatures will recover somewhat Tuesday.
WATCH BELOW: COLD TEMPERATURES FLOOD ONTARIO
(Take a closer look at the Golden Horseshoe with Dr. Doug Gillham and Your Weather First)
LOOKING AHEAD: ONTARIO BECOMES THE BATTLE ZONE
The storm track remains poised over southern Ontario into what will be a shortened work-week for many, and that will keep mild air surging up from the Gulf of Mexico in conflict with colder air from the north.
Another messy system is on the horizon as that surging air heads north on Wednesday, bringing a mix of rain, snow, and possibly some freezing rain back into the eastern half of the province.
"Southern Ontario will become the battle zone again from the middle of next week through the weekend," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "The first system expected for Wednesday will bring some snow, but also the risk for freezing rain for parts of southern Ontario. Another messy system with milder air is expected for next weekend."
WATCH BELOW: TRACKING THE NEXT STORM
While the rounds of milder air might be welcome for those who are becoming winter weary, there are still a few shots of cold in the long range trends as we head into March, says Gillham.
"The focus of the coldest weather is expected to shift back to the Great Lakes region, including southern Ontario. Colder than normal temperatures are expected to dominate during the first half of March."
