Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Intensifying snow threatens Monday commute, holiday travels in Ontario

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A clipper pushing into southern Ontario on Monday might be the region’s last chance at securing a white Christmas this year.

Forecasters are watching the progress of an Alberta clipper expected to cross the Great Lakes on Monday, bringing snow to areas where the ground is plenty cold enough for accumulation.

While snow hasn’t been in short supply around the traditional snowbelts, folks around much of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and southwestern Ontario have had little snow so far this season.

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Snowy clipper arrives Monday

We’re monitoring the progress of an Alberta clipper sliding into the Great Lakes from the west. This system will tap into enough moisture to produce widespread snowfall throughout southern Ontario.

Parts of the province could see up to 20 cm of snowfall by Tuesday morning.

Snowfall warnings have been issued from Barrie to Parry Sound, and extending up to Cornwall.

Ontario forecast precipitation Monday evening - Dec. 23, 2024

Ontario forecast precipitation Monday evening – Dec. 23, 2024

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Expect the snow to begin by Monday afternoon, spreading across the region through the day. Snowfall will continue to intensify into the evening and persisting through the overnight. Parts of eastern Ontario can expect to see snow still falling on Tuesday morning.

Most areas, including the north and eastern sections of the Greater Toronto Area, can expect 5-10 cm of snow from this system, with totals reaching up to 20 cm across parts of eastern Ontario and along the snow belts. Look out for moderate travel impacts through the day on Monday, with slick roads a good bet for the evening commute.

Ontario snowfall forecast totals Monday - Dec. 23, 2024Ontario snowfall forecast totals Monday - Dec. 23, 2024

Ontario snowfall forecast totals Monday – Dec. 23, 2024

A mixture of rain and snow is possible along Lake Erie shore, as well as parts of the southwest and the Niagara Peninsula, lowering snowfall totals in these places.

What does this mean for Christmas morning? Remember that an ‘official’ white Christmas occurs when forecasters measure 2 cm of snow on the ground at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.

Minimal sunshine on Christmas Eve, along with temperatures holding shy of the freezing mark, will likely help to maintain that snowpack from the GTA northward heading into the big day on Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed, kids.

Post-Christmas, it looks like the freezing cold that has settled over southern Ontario will finally lift, making room for warmer temperatures to end 2024 and kick off the new year.

WATCH: A white Christmas is virtually certain in some Canadian cities

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Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast information and updates on your weather across Ontario.

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