Ontario braces for brutal cold snap with 20°C temperature plunge
A sharp cold front is sweeping across Ontario, bringing dramatic temperature drops and heavy lake effect snow. The shift follows an unusually mild autumn and marks the start of an active winter season. Many regions will see temperatures plummet by nearly 20 degrees Celsius within a day.
Last week, multiple rounds of snow dumped nearly 60 centimetres off Lake Huron. Now, the lake effect snow season has intensified, with warnings issued for areas like Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Barrie, and parts of Huron County. Snow squalls are also expected across northern Ontario, with up to 10 centimetres forecasted in some spots.
Temperatures in northeastern Ontario will take a steep dive over the next 24 hours. Timmins, for example, will drop from around -4 C to -23 C by Thursday morning. Similar plunges are expected in Wawa, Temiskaming, Chapleau, and Kapuskasing. Environment Canada and provincial weather authorities have highlighted these sharp declines as far below December averages.
Southern Ontario will not escape the chill either. While the Greater Toronto Area will avoid the worst of the freeze, Thursday’s low is still predicted to hit -11 C. Ottawa, however, will face even harsher conditions, with temperatures expected to reach -20 C by Friday.
The sudden cold snap will bring much colder weather than usual for this time of year. Residents across Ontario should prepare for freezing temperatures and potential snow disruptions. The shift signals a rapid transition from mild autumn conditions to full winter weather.
