Additional 25 cm snow coming Sunday to southern Ontario

If you’re planning to get outside this Family Day long weekend, you might want to hit pause. Southern Ontario is in for a messy dose of winter, with heavy snow expected to arrive Saturday and linger into Sunday, with total accumulations of 50 cm or more possible by the time the system moves out.

As of 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Environment Canada updated its weather advisory, warning of a powerful winter storm set to sweep across southern Ontario this weekend, with total snowfall accumulations between 25 to 35 centimetres expected.

The storm is expected to impact Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Halton Region, Durham Region, Hamilton and the Niagara Region. Some areas, particularly along the Niagara Escarpment and in the Dundalk Highlands, could see more than 35 centimetres of snow.

Environment Canada says snow will begin Saturday afternoon, delivering up to 10 centimetres by late evening. The snowfall may lighten overnight, with a risk of freezing drizzle near the Golden Horseshoe.

Conditions are forecasted to deteriorate rapidly by Sunday morning as heavier blowing snow move in, reducing visibility to near zero at times.

Snowfall rates could reach three to six centimetres per hour during the peak of the storm, with an additional 15 to 25 centimetres expected Sunday before tapering off by the evening.

Residents are urged to avoid non-essential travel, particularly on Sunday when conditions are expected to be most severe.

Public Safety Canada advises having an emergency kit on hand with essentials such as water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

Residents are encouraged to monitor weather updates from Environment Canada.

Photo via X @ECCCWeatherON