TorontoForecast.com - Blog

Strong southwesterly winds pushed temperatures in Southern Ontario more than ten degrees above seasonal.  Here is the top ten mildest places in Ontario on February 7, 2009:

The THSW Index (temperature-humidity-sun-wind) at Toronto East York (DW0132) felt like 9.6  The maximum solar radiation was 287 W/m2 and the high UV index was 2.0 at 11:17 a.m. with daily UV dose of 3.21.  For more detailed weather information, click here:  http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IONTORON16

A few records were also broken including the one set 1965 in Wiarton and Trenton:

Ottawa was also very close in breaking its daily high record:

Although a cold front pass through overnight, the melting of snow made daytime temperatures today above freezing.   There are few locales expected to break or close to breaking their daytime record for February 8, 2009.  Mild temperatures will linger until Thursday.  A major system will invade Southern Ontario bringing with it lots of rain and windy conditions.  Near normal temperatures will return in the third week of February.

For more weather information and info on Toronto weather records, visit:

www.TorontoForecast.com

AWCN11 CWTO 291127
Weather summary for all of southern Ontario and
The national Capital region
Issued by Environment Canada Toronto at 6:26 AM EST Thursday 29
January 2009.

Significant snowfall across much of southern and eastern Ontario.
-------------------------------------------------------------
==weather event discussion==

 Yet another winter storm brought a significant snowfall to southern
Ontario on Wednesday. Many areas received 15 to 20 cm of the white
stuff with the highest amount of near 23 cm reported by a trained
spotter at Cornwall.

 This storm had a high impact on transportation across southern
Ontario on Wednesday and spawned numerous snowfall warnings. All
warnings are now discontinued as the storm has raced off into the
Maritimes.

 The table below shows total snowfall amounts from this storm as
received by Environment Canada as of midnight last night.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Location                  snowfall amount (cm)

Windsor                   12
Blenheim                  11
Morepeth (near Rondeau)   17
Ridgetown                 13     (EST'd)
Chatham                   17
London                    15
New Glasgow (near Rodney) 14
Dorchester                10
Delhi                     11     (EST'd)
Foldens (S Woodstock)     11
Roseville (sw Kitchener)  15
Mount Forest              11     (EST'd)
Wiarton                    7     (EST'd)
Elora                     10     (EST'd)
Kitchener Stanley park    11
University of Waterloo    11
Waterloo airport          10
Paris                     14
Hamilton                  14    (EST'd)
Thorold                   21
Grimsby mountain          15.2
Stoney Creek              14
Vineland                  13
Welland                   18
Port Colborne             14
Fort Erie                 15
Oakville                  17
Sandhill (nw Brampton)    16
Brampton                  13.5
Toronto Pearson           13
Toronto Downsview         12     as of 4:00 PM
Toronto downtown          13     (EST'd)
Toronto east York         14
Toronto Buttonville       16
Oak Ridges                14
Baldwin (near Sutton)     17
Pickering                 15
Oshawa                    15
Trenton                   12
Barrie                    11     (EST'd)
Shanty Bay (ne Barrie)    11
Orillia                   11
Coldwater                 16
Collingwood               10     (EST'd)
Minden                    10
Peterborough              13     (EST'd)
Stirling (nw Belleville)  11
Kingston                  14
Brockville                14
Kaladar                   14
Wilberforce (W Bancroft)  11
Ottawa                    18
Gatineau                  16
Russell (se Ottawa)       10
Cornwall                  23
Petawawa                  12     (EST'd)
Muskoka                   10
Haliburton                10
Whitney (Algonquin        11     (EST'd)
        Park east gate)

Please note that this summary contains the observations at the time
of broadcast and does not constitute an official and final report of
the weather events or the high impact events attributed to the
weather events.

END/OSPC

AWCN11 CWTO 290237
Weather summary for all of southern Ontario and
The national Capital region
Issued by Environment Canada Toronto at 9:35 PM EST Wednesday 28
January 2009.

Significant snowfall across much of southern and eastern Ontario.
-------------------------------------------------------------
==weather event discussion==

 Here is an updated report of snowfall amounts from today's snowfall.
It is still snowing across parts of eastern Ontario but the snow has
tapered off to only patchy light snow in most other districts.

 This snowstorm had quite a high impact on both commutes today.

 This statement will be updated as fresh reports come in this
evening.

 The table below shows snowfall amounts received by Environment
Canada as of 9 PM this evening unless otherwise noted.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Location                  snowfall amount (cm)

Windsor                   12
Ridgetown                 13     (EST'd)
London                    11     (EST'd)
Delhi                     11     (EST'd)
Mount Forest              11     (EST'd)
Wiarton                    7     (EST'd)
Elora                     10     (EST'd)
Kitchener Stanley park    11
University of Waterloo    11
Paris                     14
Hamilton                  14    (EST'd)
Thorold                   21     as of 9:00 PM
Grimsby                   15.2
Vineland                  13
Welland                   12
Brampton                  13.5
Toronto Pearson           13
Toronto Downsview         12     as of 4:00 PM
Toronto downtown          13     (EST'd)
Toronto east York         14
Toronto Buttonville       16
Oak Ridges                14
Pickering                 15
Trenton                   12
Barrie                    11     (EST'd)
Orillia                   11
Coldwater                 16
Collingwood               10     (EST'd)
Minden                    10
Peterborough              13     (EST'd)
Kingston                  14
Wilberforce (W Bancroft)  11
Ottawa                    16
Gatineau                  16
Petawawa                  12     (EST'd)
Whitney (Algonquin        11     (EST'd)
        Park east gate)

Please note that this summary contains the observations at the time
of broadcast and does not constitute an official and final report of
the weather events or the high impact events attributed to the
weather events.

END/OSPC

---

WOCN11 CWTO 290015
Special weather statement
Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.
7:15 PM EST Wednesday 28 January 2009.

Special weather statement ended for..
City of Toronto
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
Kingston - Prince Edward
Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
City of Ottawa
Gatineau
Prescott and Russell
Cornwall - Morrisburg
Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Haliburton
Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry's Bay
Algonquin
Burk's Falls - Bayfield Inlet.

The snow associated with a low over the american northeast is
gradually tapering off from west to east over much of southern
Ontario this evening. The special weather statement is ended as
conditions improve in many areas. A snowfall warning is continued
For eastern Ontario, but this should end later this evening as the
snow tapers to a few flurries.

Listen for further statements. Additional information
may also be found by consulting the latest public forecast.
The next public forecast will be issued by 5 AM.

END/OSPC

WOCN11 CWTO 282018
Special weather statement
Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.  3:18 PM EST Wednesday
28 January 2009.

Special weather statement issued for..
City of Toronto
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
Kingston - Prince Edward
Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
City of Ottawa
Gatineau
Prescott and Russell
Cornwall - Morrisburg
Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Haliburton
Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry's Bay
Algonquin
Burk's Falls - Bayfield Inlet.

Special weather statement ended for..
Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
Sarnia - Lambton.

Snow continues over much of southern Ontario, associated with a low
pressure system now over New York state.  The snow is locally heavy,
reducing visibility at times to a few hundred metres.  For regions to
the south of a rough line from Lake St Clair through lake Simcoe to
Petawawa, total snowfall amounts near 15 centimetres or more are
expected and thus a snowfall warning continues for this area.  To the
north of this line, snowfall amounts are expected to be just below
warning criteria, likely between 10 and 15 centimetres for most
locales.

The snow will gradually end from west to east as the low moves
eastward.  It has already ended over Windsor, will end over the
remainder of southwestern Ontario and regions adjacent to Lake Huron
later this afternoon, over the greater Toronto, Niagara, Barrie and
Muskoka regions by early this evening, and over eastern Ontario
including the Ottawa Valley area by about midnight.

Listen for further statements.  Additional information may also be
found by consulting the latest public forecast.  The next public
forecast will be issued by 5 AM.

END/OSPC

AWCN11 CWTO 181745

Weather summary for all of southern Ontario and

The national capital region

Issued by environment canada Toronto at 11:46 am est sunday 18

january 2009.

Significant snowfall across parts of southern Ontario last night.

————————————————————-

==weather event discussion==

Last night’s snowfall has tapered to flurries for most of south 

central and southwestern Ontario. Snowfall amounts varies widely 

between localities, however in general the highest amounts were in 

the greater Toronto area and adjacent regions to the north and

East.

The table below shows snowfall amounts received by environment

Canada as of noon today unless otherwise noted.

————————————————————-

Location                  snowfall amount (cm)

Windsor                    9

Sarnia                     9   (est’d)

Tillsonburg               12   (as of 11 pm last night)

London                    12   (est’d)

Cambridge                 12   (as of 10 pm last night)

Kitchener Stanley park    14

Thorold                   16

Mono Mills (n of Caledon) 14

Woodbridge                18

Brampton                   8   (est’d)

Toronto Downsview         23

Toronto east York         14

Toronto downtown          12   (est’d)

Toronto Buttonville       12

Oak Ridges                18

Ashburn (n of Whitby)     30   (est’d)

Coldwater (nw of Orillia) 24

Tapley (n of pt Hope)     20

Trenton                   18

Kingston                  15

Please note that this summary contains the observations at

The time of broadcast and does not constitute an official

And final report.

END/OSPC

 

WOCN11 CWTO 161941

Special weather statement

Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.  2:41 PM EST Friday

16 January 2009.

Special weather statement issued for..

City of Toronto

Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent

Sarnia - Lambton

Elgin

London - Middlesex

Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk

Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand

Oxford - Brant

Niagara

City of Hamilton

Halton - Peel

York - Durham

Huron - Perth

Waterloo - Wellington

Dufferin - Innisfil

Grey - Bruce

Barrie - Orillia - Midland

Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland

Kingston - Prince Edward

Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes.

Snowfall for the weekend arrives midday Saturday.

Very cold Arctic air over the regions will be kicked out of southern 

Ontario Saturday as an Alberta clipper moves in to the lower Great

Lakes.  Temperatures will be on the rise right through Saturday night 

but will still remain a few degrees below the freezing mark.

The storm will give general amounts of 10 to 15 centimetres over a 24 

hour period with the greatest variation due to inputs of snow 

generated over the open water on the Great Lakes moving onshore. 

Snowfall warnings may be issued for a couple of regions however for 

most areas expect a blanket of 10 centimetres during the Saturday 

afternoon or evening periods.

Listen for further statements.  Additional information may also be 

found by consulting the latest public forecast.  The next public 

forecast will be issued by 3.30 PM.

END/OSPC

 

WOCN11 CWTO 131856

Special weather statement

Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.  1:56 PM EST Tuesday

13 January 2009.

Special weather statement issued for..

City of Toronto

Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent

Sarnia - Lambton

Elgin

London - Middlesex

Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk

Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand

Oxford - Brant

Niagara

City of Hamilton

Halton - Peel

York - Durham

Huron - Perth

Waterloo - Wellington

Dufferin - Innisfil

Grey - Bruce

Barrie - Orillia - Midland

Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland

Kingston - Prince Edward

Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes

Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac

Bancroft - Bon Echo Park

Brockville - Leeds and Grenville

City of Ottawa

Gatineau

Prescott and Russell

Cornwall - Morrisburg

Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake

Parry Sound - Muskoka

Haliburton

Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry’s Bay

Algonquin

Burk’s Falls - Bayfield Inlet.

..Snowy and cold winter weather on tap this week..

Winter is tightening its frigid icy grip on southern Ontario this 

week as what appears to be yet another series of snow producing 

disturbances in the form of Alberta clippers that will sail across 

the Great Lakes over the next few days.

The first Alberta clipper has arrived with its cloak of snow today 

and will give a general snowfall of 5 to 10 centimetres across 

southern and eastern Ontario by tonight.  While temperatures today 

may feel relatively on the mild side for a few hours as they inch up

To near the freezing mark..A sharp Arctic cold front will blast 

across eastern Ontario this afternoon.

This front may be heralded by a sudden short burst of heavy snow with 

strong northwesterly winds developing in its wake.  Low visibility 

from local blowing snow in exposed areas will be an issue to contend 

with after the front blasts through.

Temperatures will likely plunge some 5 degrees in the first couple of 

hours after the front passes this afternoon over southern Ontario 

with an even larger drop of up to 10 degrees in eastern Ontario 

including the national Capital region this evening.  This may cause 

roads and other surfaces to quickly become icy resulting in hazardous 

winter driving conditions as the mercury plunges.

Snowsqualls are also expected to develop in a few areas to the Lee of 

Lake Huron by this evening and snowsquall warnings have been issued 

as a result.

Temperatures will continue to fall dramatically this evening over all 

regions.  Overnight lows are expected to range from about minus 18 in 

the southwest to near minus 30 for parts of eastern Ontario.

Wind chills may approach warning levels for a little while tonight 

especially if winds take a little longer to diminish than currently 

expected.

After a brief respite Wednesday morning a second Alberta clipper in 

the series will track just south of the Great Lakes Wednesday night. 

This clipper will bring another area of snow into southern Ontario 

with a few more centimetres of the white stuff expected south of a 

line from Midland to Prince Edward county.  There is potential for 

snowsqualls to develop in the cold easterly flow off of Lake Ontario 

into a large part of the Golden Horseshoe Wednesday afternoon and 

Wednesday night with local snowfall amounts of 15 centimetres quite 

possible.

In the wake of this clipper even colder Arctic air will blast in by 

Thursday with temperatures remaining below minus 20 over eastern 

Ontario and struggling to get to the minus teens over the south.

Wind chills may be a significant issue on Thursday as the coldest air 

so far this season arrives.  Snowsqualls may once again redevelop by 

Friday in the snowbelt regions to the southeast of Lake Huron and 

Georgian Bay.

Finally yet another Alberta clipper may threaten southern and eastern

Ontario with more snow..Blowing snow..And strong winds by Saturday as 

the very active winter weather pattern continues.

Folks planning travel should be prepared for dangerous winter driving 

conditions especially in areas where various warnings may be in 

effect.  Travel plans may have to be adjusted accordingly.

Listen for further statements.  Additional information may also be 

found by consulting the latest public forecast.  The next public 

forecast will be issued by 3.30 PM.

END/OSPC

 

AWCN11 CWTO 080426

Weather summary for all of Southern Ontario and the National Capital

Region issued by Environment Canada Toronto at 11:25 PM EST

Wednesday 7 January 2009.

Winter storm moves into Québec.

————————————————————-

==weather event discussion==

A winter storm which is has moved into the Eastern Townships of 

Québec brought 10-20 cm of snow to most locales in southern Ontario 

and freezing rain to the Niagara Peninsula.

Conditions in Ontario have improved and will continue to see light 

snow fall through the night with an additional 1 to 2 centimetres of 

snow possible. In general most regions did see around 10 centimetres 

of snow fall from this system as expected.

Snowfall amounts received by Environment Canada as of 11 PM are found 

in the table below.

————————————————————-

Location                snowfall amount (cm)

Toronto (Pearson)       13 (mixed with freezing drizzle)

Toronto (Downsview)     9 (mixed with light freezing drizzle)

Toronto (Buttonville)   17 (mixed with light freezing rain)

Brampton                10

Kitchener               10

Orillia                 7

Caledon                 15

Trenton                 9 (mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain) 

Cornwall                18

Kingston                9 (mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain) 

Ottawa                  18

Gatineau                22

Franktown               25

Hamilton                6 hours of light freezing rain

London                  9 hours of light freezing rain, ice pellets

Please note that this summary contains the observations at

The time of broadcast and does not constitute an official

And final report of the weather events or the high

Impact events attributed to the weather events.

END/OSPC

 

AWCN11 CWTO 071812
Weather summary for all of southern Ontario and
The national Capital region
Issued by Environment Canada Toronto at 12:35 PM EST Wednesday 7
January 2009.

Winter storm continues to March through southern Ontario today.
————————————————————-
==weather event discussion==
A winter storm which is sliding across the lower Great Lakes today
brought snow across southern Ontario.  The snow started Tuesday
Night and will continue today. Eastern Ontario will see bursts of
heavy snow today and they remain under a snowfall warning. Total
snowfall amounts can reach between 15 to 20 centimetres by this
evening. This bulletin will be updated as more snow amounts are
reported.

Conditions over southwestern Ontario east to the greater Toronto
Area have improved. The band of snow which was at times mixed with
freezing rain and ice pellets has moved out of the area. These
regions will continue to see light snow fall through the day and
tonight with an additional 1 to 2 centimetres of snow possible. In
general most regions did see around 10 centimetres of snow fall from
this system as expected.

Snowfall amounts received by Environment Canada as of 1 PM are found
in the table below.

————————————————————-

Location                snowfall amount (cm)

Toronto (Pearson)       10 (mixed with freezing drizzle)
Toronto (Downsview)     9 (mixed with light freezing drizzle)
Toronto (Buttonville)   12 (mixed with light freezing rain)
Richmond Hill           6-8 (mixed with ice pellets as of 7 AM)
Brampton                10
Kitchener               10
Orillia                 7
Caledon                 15
Trenton                 8 (mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain)
Cornwall                10-12 (as of 11 AM)
Kingston                9 (mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain)
Ottawa                  10 (as of 1 PM)
Gatineau                10 (as of 1 PM)

Hamilton                6 hours of light freezing rain
London                  9 hours of light freezing rain, ice pellets

Please note that this summary contains the observations at
The time of broadcast and does not constitute an official
And final report of the weather events or the high
Impact events attributed to the weather events.

END/OSPC

WOCN11 CWTO 070608
Special weather statement
Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.  1:08 AM EST Wednesday
7 January 2009.

Special weather statement issued for..
City of Toronto
Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
Sarnia - Lambton
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
Kingston - Prince Edward
Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
City of Ottawa
Gatineau
Prescott and Russell
Cornwall - Morrisburg
Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Haliburton
Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry’s Bay
Algonquin
Burk’s Falls - Bayfield Inlet.

Winter weather through the day.

Snow is spreading eastward through southern Ontario and along Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario freezing rain or ice pellets are being
observed.  Southwestern Ontario will likely experience periods of
freezing drizzle early this morning before changing back to periods
of snow.

The Trenton to Kingston corridor with also see ice pellets mixed in
with the snowfall early this morning and there is a risk of freezing
rain with freezing rain warnings possibly needed.

General snowfall amounts will be 5 to 10 centimetres by midday
Wednesday.  Snowfall amounts may be reduced in the vicinity of the
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario shorelines including the greater Toronto
area due to the snow changing into ice pellets or becoming very wet.
The exception is for eastern Ontario mainly north and east of
Kingston where totals to 15 centimetres are likely by the end of the
day.

Winter weather watches and warnings will be updated by the Ontario
storm prediction centre as the storm continues to move slowly
eastward today.

Listen for further statements.  Additional information may also be
found by consulting the latest public forecast.  The next public
forecast will be issued by 5 AM.

END/OSPC

What an amazing 2008!  We’ve had extreme weather from excessive rain and snowfall but also damaging winds and great daily pressure range.

You can find the complete weather summary including monthly readings by visiting the historical page at www.TorontoForecast.com.

Here are some highlights from the Toronto East York Weather Station (MADIS CWOP:  DW0132):

Average Mean Temp:  9.0  deg. C (0.2 below average compared to WMO 71266 station)

Average Max Temp:  12.9 deg. C

Average Min Temp:  5.1 deg. C

Hottest Day (Highest Daily Mean):  28.4 deg. C  (June 8th)

Coldest Day ( Lowest Daily Mean):  -13.1 deg. C (Dec 20)

Highest Temperature:  35.1 deg. C (Jun 9)

Lowest Temperature:  -17.6 deg. C (Feb 28)

Greatest 24-hour temp range:  19.4 deg. C (Apr 17)

.

Highest Sea Level Pressure:  1041.9 mb (Jan 3)

Lowest Sea Level Pressure:  980.6 mb (Jan 30)

Greatest 24-hour pressure change:  44.6 mb (Jan 30)

.

Highest solar radiation:  1194 W/m2  (May 23)

Highest humidex:  43.9  (Jun 9)

Highest THSW Index (combination of temperature, humidity, sun and wind):  45.2 (Jun 5)

.

Extreme Daily Rainfall:  43.6 mm (Jun 15)

Extreme Rainfall Rate:  426.6 mm/hr (Jun 15)

Summer Rainfall (June-August):  383.6 mm

.

Here are some notable figures from Toronto Pearson Airport for 2008:

Total winter snowfall (December - February):  144 cm - second snowiest winter ever

Record February snowfall:  76.8 cm

.

Wettest year since record keeping began in 1937 at Pearson:  1049.6 mm

Old record:  917.3 mm in 1977

Wettest January-August period in 70 years:  705 mm rain

Old  record:  679.3 mm in 1945

 Wettest summer:  396.2 mm

I’ll compile a more comprehensive review for CYYZ and other official Environment Canada weather stations in the next few weeks.

For daily weather forecasts and models, visit:  www.TorontoForecast.com

Cheers,

Kristoffer

WOCN11 CWTO 040214
Special weather statement
Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region. 9:14 PM EST Saturday
3 January 2009.

Special weather statement issued for..
City of Toronto
Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
Sarnia - Lambton
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland.

..Some freezing rain expected to develop Sunday..

A weak low pressure system will approach southern Ontario from the
southwest on Sunday bringing the threat for a few hours of freezing
rain to most regions.

Intermittent freezing rain is forecast to develop in southwestern
regions Sunday morning then spread northeastward toward Georgian Bay
and into the Golden Horseshoe region late in the day. Although the
threat is for only a millimetre or two of freezing rain it would be
sufficient for very slippery conditions. A freezing rain warning may
be issued as the certainty increases.

Listen for further statements. Additional information may also be
found by consulting the latest public forecast. The next public
forecast will be issued by 5 AM.

END/OSPC

WOCN11 CWTO 030121
Special weather statement
Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.
8:21 PM EST Friday 2 January 2009.

Special weather statement continued for..
City of Toronto
York - Durham.

..Brief heavy snow burst affects Toronto..

A cluster of very heavy flurries is passing through Toronto from the
northwest. Radar at 8:10 PM indicated the heavy flurries extending
from near King City down into the core of the city. Visibilities
Will be reduced to under 300 metres and a quick accumulation of up
To 4 centimetres is likely before it moves south of the city
Environs around 9 PM. A few more light flurries are possible
afterwards into the overnight hours.

Listen for further statements. Additional information may also be
found by consulting the latest public forecast. The next public
forecast will be issued by 5 AM.

END/ASHTON

The Greater Toronto Area is currently being battering by heavy snow and strong winds resulting in traffic chaos and flight cancellations.  Environment Canada describes the current snowstorm as being dynamic and will be followed by another two storms in the next five days.  It is becoming more likely that Toronto will have a perfect white Christmas based on EC’s criteria of having 2 cm on the ground and falling snow.

The storm hit the west end of the city around 0730 this morning and spread eastward.  The snowflakes this morning were small and very fine but around 1400 to 1700, it changed to heavy, big flakes. The temperatures were also falling throughout the day from -4.8 deg. C at 0700 to -11.2 deg. C at 1700 as shown in the graph below:

Strong easterly winds complicated the situation resulting in nearly zero visibility for about five hours this afternoon.  Here are some wind gust reported so far:

Long Point:  NNE 99 km/h

Hamilton Airport:  NE 85 km/h

Burlington Lift Bridge:  ENE 76 km/h

Toronto Port Authority Marina:  72 km/h

Toronto City Centre Airport:  68 km/h

Toronto Pearson:  74 km/h

Toronto Buttonville Airport:  52 km/h

As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, Toronto East York (Sunnybrook Park area) received 16.5 cm of fresh snow and 24-25 cm of snow on the ground.  Due to the strong winds, drifts are very common.

If you’re curious about the greatest 24-hour December snowfall at Toronto Pearson airport, I’ve compiled the top ten for you to enjoy:

In my next weatherblog at 10:30 pm, I’ll post some pictures I took today and radar images from the storm.  I’ll also have the snowfall amounts from Environment Canada so I’ll post that one too.  For more weather info, visit our main site:  www.TorontoForecast.com

Cheers,

Kristoffer

Special weather statement Issued by Environment Canada Ontario region.

4:08 PM EST Monday 8 December 2008.

 

Special weather statement issued for..

City of Toronto

Another significant snow event beginning this evening..

The centre of a developing disturbance emerging from Kansas will

Move northeastwards towards Lake Michigan on Tuesday and across ski

country Tuesday night. A period of snow will envelop much of

Southern Ontario later this evening into the overnight hours before

ending. Accumulations will range from 2 to 5 centimetres over most

areas including Toronto. It will persist through Tuesday night in

areas northeast of Georgian Bay where warnings are in effect.

Periods of rain will quickly develop in many districts of southern

Ontario on Tuesday as milder air is drawn in with the system as a

warm front crosses the region. Rainfall amounts of 25 to locally 30

mm are possible in some areas. This will enhance snow melt in many

areas or run-off due to the frozen ground. A rainfall warning may be

required if it appears a sizeable area will receive significant

rainfall amounts.

Also..A period of freezing rain is likely late Tuesday afternoon or

evening along portions of the Ottawa Valley. Warnings are in effect

for Renfrew but may be required for Ottawa. It is dependent on the

track of the disturbance. It is forecast to track very close to

Ottawa which means there is a low confidence in the duration of

Freezing rain. If it moves just south of Ottawa…Mainly freezing

rain may occur while a slightly more northern track would suggest

more rain. Please monitor Environment Canada for subsequent updates

of warnings.

For the latest weather information, visit www.TorontoForecast.com