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Wednesday began in Toronto in dense fog and humid air, But the city’s relatively calm conditions won’t last longA powerful pattern change is unfolding across Ontario, setting the stage for high winds in the GTA and prolonged lake-effect blizzard conditions in many areas,
Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for Toronto, warning of near-zero visibility during the morning commute. Drivers are being warned to slow down and be careful in these conditions until the fog clears.
“Locally dense fog is widespread and will persist through this morning before clearing,” the Weather Agency of Canada says.
A special weather statement has also been issued for wind gusts expected after Wednesday, with speeds potentially reaching 70 to 80 km/hr. Those winds can create difficult conditions for high-profile vehicles, pedestrians and anyone living near unprotected outdoor objects.
Ontario’s big weather story: Snow for days
While Toronto is avoiding heavy snowfall, large parts of southern and northern Ontario are preparing for a multi-day snowstorm starting late Wednesday night and lasting through the weekend.
Forecasters warn this setup – created by the flow of very cold air over the Great Lakes – could expose persistent, intense bands of lake-effect snow in traditional snowbelt areas. Low-lying areas of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay could see heights of 15 to 30 centimeters or more, with high winds at times causing snow to fall over exposed areas, creating whiteout conditions.
As of Wednesday morning, there are multiple winter storm warnings in place across the province, including Lake Superior Park, Thunder Bay, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins and Wawa.
Roads in these areas can become dangerous with little warning. During the strongest eruptions visibility can drop to near zero within minutes.
Farther north, a developing system near Lake Superior is expected to enter the same cold air mass, causing widespread snowfall that could exceed 30 centimeters in some areas.
What to expect for Toronto: Will the city be hit just as hard, or escape the storm altogether?
Toronto and the GTA are expected to be spared the heaviest snowfall, but the incoming arctic air will still be felt. There may be light to moderate rain on Thursday and Friday and temperatures will drop well below seasonal norms due to the cold breeze.
Residents moving out of the city – toward cottage country, the Bruce Peninsula, or the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay – should prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions.
Overnight, there is a 40 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms, with temperatures falling to 0°C and strong winds continuing.
The city will remain cloudy on Thursday with occasional snowfall. Wind will also blow and the maximum temperature of the day will be 1°C. Heavy rain is expected overnight, with a low of -2°C and a wind chill near -10°C by Saturday morning.
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