A powerful winter storm is set to impact most of southern Canada as a low-pressure system moves east toward the Atlantic Provinces.
Snowfall between 15 and 40 centimeters is expected by this afternoon across a wide area stretching from Windsor, Ontario, to Gaspé, Quebec. In New Brunswick, some regions could receive up to 25 centimeters as the snowfall persists into the night.
A person crosses a street as snow falls in Montreal, Sunday, January 7, 2024. Much of southern Ontario and Quebec is under winter storm and snowfall warnings as a low-pressure system moves east toward the Atlantic provinces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Western Newfoundland will also experience prolonged snowfall, with at least 10 to 20 centimeters expected through Friday.
A pedestrian crosses the road with a snow brush as high winds and heavy snow blanket Halifax, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Environment Canada is warning residents of the Maritimes to prepare for some ugly weather tomorrow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Meanwhile, several western provinces are facing an extended period of extreme cold. Arctic outflow winds are set to bring frigid conditions to parts of the North Coast and Whistler on Wednesday and Thursday. In Yoho and Kootenay Parks, wind chill values could plunge to –35°C through Friday morning.
Rick Hall uses his trusty 35 year old snow blower to clear the road in front of his home in London, Ontario on Wednesday January 8, 2025. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)A City of Ottawa snowplow clears the road at Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue Thursday morning. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)Snow in Parkdale on Thursday morning. Most of the snow in the GTA has already fallen, though light snow is expected to continue for the next few hours, said Daniel Sheldon, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. (Adam Carter/CBC)
In eastern Canada, Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, is under an extreme cold warning, with wind chill temperatures dropping as low as –50°C overnight on Wednesday. In the north, blizzard warnings are in effect for Iqaluit and Dempster, Yukon.
Schools are closed Thursday in the Toronto District School Board, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Peel District School Board and Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
In anticipation of the storm, several airlines have canceled flights, Toronto Pearson International Airport announced in a Wednesday morning post on X.
Hamilton Street Railway warned riders of delays during a winter storm warning on Feb. 12, 2024. (Justin Chandler/CBC)Snow-dusted trees in the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm, Ab., on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Photo by Mike Drew /Mike Drew/Postmedia
Ottawa is expected to face its most significant winter storm in years, with total snowfall potentially reaching 40 centimeters.