Boxing Day shoppers and commuters in southern Ontario should brace for wintry conditions, with heavy snow, ice pellets, and significant wind chills expected to impact travel on Friday, December 26.
Key Updates:
- Up to 12 cm of snow expected in southern Ontario
- Wind chills as cold as -20°C in some areas
- Potential for freezing rain late in the day
Residents heading out early may be greeted by thick cloud cover, obstructing the 7:50 a.m. sunrise. Snow is expected to begin near noon across parts of Mississauga, Brampton, and Halton, with snowfall amounts reaching up to 5 cm. Brisk winds will accompany the snow, gusting up to 50 km/h before easing later in the day.
Daytime temperatures will hover around -3°C, but wind chills will make it feel closer to -17°C to -18°C in the morning, improving slightly to -10°C to -7°C by the afternoon.
Regional Breakdown:
- Hamilton will see snow beginning late in the morning, transitioning to ice pellets or snow in the afternoon, with the possibility of freezing rain late in the day. Snow and ice pellets are expected to total around 5 cm, with wind chills around -12°C in the morning, improving to -7°C by afternoon.
- Durham will likely experience the most significant snowfall, with snow and blowing snow starting late in the morning. Snowfall totals could reach up to 10 cm, and wind speeds will pick up to 50 km/h, making it feel as cold as -20°C in the morning, improving to -13°C in the afternoon.
By evening, snow and ice pellets will taper off, leaving mostly cloudy skies overnight. A risk of freezing rain remains, particularly late in the evening and into Saturday morning.
Forecast for Friday, December 26:
- Mississauga, Brampton, Halton: Snow developing around noon with 5 cm expected, wind chills of -17°C in the morning, improving to -10°C by afternoon.
- Hamilton: Snow and ice pellets, with freezing rain possible later. Wind chills near -12°C in the morning.
- Durham: Significant snowfall, with totals up to 10 cm. Wind chills as low as -20°C in the morning.
Overnight Lows:
- Mississauga, Brampton, Halton: -7°C, with wind chills near -10°C to -16°C.
- Hamilton: -5°C, with wind chills around -10°C.
- Durham: -10°C, with wind chills around -13°C.
Photo Credits : Photo Credits : Insauga
