Winter weather is expected to return across southern Ontario this weekend, bringing snowfall and colder temperatures to the Greater Toronto Area and Durham Region.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the brief stretch of warmer weather that many people experienced recently may be coming to an end as another weather system moves into the region.
Forecasters say a low-pressure system could bring significant snowfall on Friday, with some parts of southwestern Ontario receiving up to 15 centimetres of snow.
In the Greater Toronto Area, including Durham Region, snowfall totals are expected to be slightly lower but still noticeable. Meteorologists estimate between five and 10 centimetres of snow could fall on Friday.
The precipitation is expected to begin Friday afternoon and continue into the evening hours, potentially impacting travel conditions during the evening commute.
Temperatures Friday night are expected to fall to around –4°C, allowing snow to accumulate in many areas.
Conditions are expected to improve slightly on Saturday, when skies across southern Ontario should become partly sunny.
Environment Canada forecasts this improvement will extend across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, the Niagara Region and Durham Region.
Despite clearer skies, the weather will remain cold. The daytime high on Saturday is expected to reach around 2°C, with overnight temperatures dropping again to –4°C.
Wind chill values may make the air feel much colder in the morning. According to The Weather Network, temperatures could feel closer to –11°C early Saturday morning.
The winter conditions may not be finished yet.
Another round of precipitation is expected to arrive on Sunday, when snow could return across parts of the GTA.
Forecasters say up to six centimetres of snow may fall, although Environment Canada notes that precipitation could also shift between snow and rain throughout the day.
There is currently a 60 per cent chance of rain Sunday evening, which could reduce snow accumulation in some areas.
Temperatures on Sunday are expected to remain relatively mild compared to earlier in the week, with highs around 4°C.
However, wind chill values could make it feel closer to –8°C during the morning hours.
Some parts of southern Ontario, including the Niagara Region, could see warmer temperatures reaching around 11°C later on Sunday.
Meteorologists say these rapidly changing conditions are typical for late winter in Ontario, when weather systems often shift quickly between snow, rain and mild temperatures.
Residents across Durham Region and southern Ontario are advised to monitor forecasts and prepare for changing road and weather conditions throughout the weekend.
