Residents across Durham Region and much of southern Ontario should prepare for another round of wintry weather on Sunday, March 15, as a weather system bringing snow, ice pellets and the risk of freezing rain moves into the region. Forecasts indicate that several communities across the Greater Toronto Area, including Durham Region, will experience mixed precipitation throughout the day as temperatures fluctuate and winds increase.
The day is expected to begin with thick cloud cover across the region, meaning residents hoping to enjoy the sunrise at 7:28 a.m. may instead wake up to grey skies and cold conditions. During the morning hours, snow mixed with ice pellets is expected to fall across Durham Region, along with nearby areas such as Mississauga, Brampton, Halton and Hamilton.
In Durham Region, snow and ice pellet accumulation is expected to reach approximately two centimetres, while neighbouring regions could receive between two and four centimetres. Although the snowfall totals are relatively light, the mixture of snow and ice pellets could still create slippery roads and sidewalks, especially during the morning hours when temperatures remain colder.
Forecasters are also warning about a risk of freezing rain late in the morning and early afternoon across parts of southern Ontario. Freezing rain occurs when rain freezes immediately after hitting cold surfaces, which can quickly lead to icy conditions. Drivers and pedestrians in Durham Region are encouraged to use caution, as even a short period of freezing rain can create hazardous travel conditions.
Temperatures early in the morning will feel quite cold, with wind chill values around –9°C across Durham Region. Hamilton could feel slightly colder, closer to –10°C during the early hours. As the day progresses, temperatures are expected to rise gradually, reaching around 7°C in Durham Region by the afternoon.
However, increasing wind speeds may make conditions feel colder than the actual temperature. Forecasts indicate wind gusts could reach up to 60 kilometres per hour across Durham Region, Mississauga, Brampton and Halton, while Hamilton may see gusts around 40 kilometres per hour. Strong winds combined with mixed precipitation could reduce visibility and create difficult driving conditions in open areas.
By the evening, the precipitation is expected to move out of the region, leaving mostly cloudy skies across Durham Region. Temperatures may briefly rise to around 10°C in the evening before gradually cooling overnight. Overnight temperatures are expected to settle near 7°C, with gusty winds continuing into the night.
Sunset on Sunday will occur at 7:22 p.m., marking longer daylight hours as the region moves closer to spring, even though winter weather continues to linger across Ontario.
