Ottawa avoiding major snowstorm coming across Great Lakes

A significant storm hammering northern Ontario and bringing snow to the lower Great Lakes is expected to pass the nation’s capital with a few flurries.

According to CityNews weather specialist Allister Aalders, lake-effect snow is already causing hazardous travel for communities south of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, and is burying northern Ontario.

“For Ottawa and the Valley, temperatures will climb above freezing on Thursday, but the lingering trough of low pressure to the north will allow for some on-and-off flurries or snow showers through the day,” he said.

Aalders noted that the low-pressure system tracked south along Lake Superior on Wednesday, resulting in a significant winter storm for parts of northern Ontario and communities south through the snowbelt.

Environment Canada issued statements for areas north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), as a powerful pattern shift unfolds across the province, setting the stage for a prolonged snowstorm across several regions.

Forecasters say westerly winds gusting up to 70 km/h will ease somewhat, but breezy conditions are expected to persist through Friday. While snowfall accumulations are not expected to be significant for Toronto, brief bursts of heavier snow and local blowing snow could reduce visibility.

“As the low starts tracking northeast and the trailing cold front swings through, a much cooler airmass will move into the region,” Aalders described.

This will drop temperatures in the nation’s capital, prompting the chance of flurries on Friday and Saturday.

“We could see a trace to a few centimetres locally, but otherwise the flurries shouldn’t amount to much for Ottawa,” he said.

Communities in the thick of the storm are expected to get upwards of 30 centimetres of snow by Saturday. In the Kitchener-Waterloo area, winds are relentless on Thursday and bringing with them heavy snow.

The wintery blast will continue pushing the cool air to Ottawa over the weekend.

“Sunshine returns Saturday, but temperatures will remain below freezing,” Aalders said. “Another low is then set to track in on Sunday, which looks to bring a mix of snow and rain.”

With files from CityNews’ Lucas Casaletto.