Parts of Ontario can see up to 20cm of snow this week

Autumn has swiftly returned to Ontario after days of scorching heat, with temperatures dropping more than 15 C, and over the next few days some areas may be surprised with snow.

According to the Weather Network, a sliver of the polar vortex, caught in a deep trough, will not only bring down temperatures but also cause potential snowfall and rain.

The temperatures are expected to be five to ten degrees below normal for the province this Thanksgiving long weekend.

Instant Weather Inc. predicts that Southern and Central Ontario might experience the season’s first few snowflakes, with accumulations possibly reaching between two and six centimetres in areas like Algonquin Park, Sundridge, and Huntsville. The rest of Central Ontario including Parry Sound, Bracebridge, Haliburton, Bancroft, Pembroke and Renfrew can expect a few flakes, but no substantial accumulation is anticipated.

Meteorologists suggest other parts of Southern Ontario, will receive periods of rain and the heaviest amount is expected in Southwestern and Eastern Ontario. Areas in deep Southwestern Ontario and along the Golden Horseshoe may see light rain, with less than ten millimetres expected.

According to data from Instant Weather Inc, areas north of Sudbury, like Timmins and Englehart, could experience significant snowfall—potentially up to 30 centimetres. However, it’s anticipated that a portion of the flurries might melt upon reaching the ground, leaving behind a snow accumulation ranging from ten to twenty centimetres.

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Today (Oct. 8 ) and Monday, temperatures across the province will struggle to reach the double digits, as a cool northwesterly flow will transform rain into wet snow in northeastern Ontario— possibly breaking records for North Bay with more than five centimetres of snow.

The Weather Network also notes that the weekend will  include lake-effect precipitation and the potential for funnel clouds and waterspouts.

Meteorologists attribute the unique weather conditions in the region to the interaction between the colder Arctic air mass and the Great Lakes.