Snow and gusty winds to disrupt Monday’s commute in Ontario

It looks like the week in southern Ontario is set to begin on a wintry note, with Monday bringing a poorly timed round of snow as we near the end of March.

According to The Weather Network, a system sweeping in from the Prairies will spread snow across much of the province Sunday night into Monday morning. While snowfall amounts may not break records, the timing alone could be enough to disrupt morning travel.

Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton and Durham — along with much of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area — are expected to see anywhere from a dusting to around five centimetres of snow.

Closer to the lakeshore, the snow may struggle to accumulate, but forecasters warn it won’t take much to slow down the morning commute.

Further north and along the shores of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, totals could climb to 10–15 centimetres, with some pockets receiving even more. The Weather Network noted on its site that the heaviest snow will fall north of Georgian Bay and east of Parry Sound, where totals may exceed 20 centimetres.

Gusty winds are also expected to reach 60 to 70 km/h along the Great Lakes. Meteorologists say these winds could briefly intensify poor visibility, particularly in exposed areas along Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Sunday night could also bring a brief mix of ice pellets or freezing rain as warmer air pushes in. The wintry mix will taper into wet snow by early Monday, with temperatures expected to rise above freezing during the day. This will help some of the snow to melt, but not before leaving behind slushy roads.

While the system tracks east, regions like cottage country and parts of northeastern Ontario will hold onto snow into the afternoon. Scattered flurries may also linger into Monday evening.

Eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, is anticipated to see three to five centimetres of snow, with the possibility of 10 cm in localized areas.

Even as skies begin to clear, drivers across southern Ontario are being warned of strong southwesterly winds, which could stir up leftover snow and keep roads in poor shape throughout the day, according to The Weather Network.

With April around the corner, the weather appears to be clinging to winter. Forecasts suggest below-seasonal temperatures will persist through the end of the month, with no warmup in sight.

Any signs of spring may be short-lived as meteorologists continue to monitor the track of upcoming systems that could once again tug colder air south.