Up to 20cm of Additional Snow Expected With Second Storm of the Week

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The week of active weather continues in Maritimes with our second storm arriving late Wednesday, bringing a mixture of rain and snow to the region straight through to the end of the day Thursday.

This new system will move into Western Nova Scotia and Southwest New Brunswick Wednesday evening as mostly rain with a bit of snow. The precipitation with quickly spread eastward throughout the evening and subsequent falling temperatures will signal the beginning of the transition from rain to snow.

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue), Rain (Green), and Freezing rain (Pink) at 2AM AT Thursday

After midnight, as the leading edge of the precipitation moves into Prince Edward Island, the snow will start to intensify in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The heavier snow will be somewhat scattered across New Brunswick, but it will be both more organized and heavier in Eastern Mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island and into Kings County, PEI.

The heavier snow is expected to persist through Thursday morning before tapering off in the early afternoon for Nova Scotia. Light snow is expected to continue in New Brunswick and PEI through the afternoon and evening, which will add a few more centimetres to the snowfall totals.

Eastern Nova Scotia, with the heaviest snowfall of the event, can expect up to 20cm by the end of the day Thursday. This will also be the case in eastern Kings County, PEI, while the rest of the Island can expect up to 10cm. Most of New Brunswick will see less than 5cm, but the heavier snowfall overnight, mixed with the lingering light snow throughout Thursday will drive totals up to 10cm in the east and into the Acadian Peninsula.

There’s the possibility of some brief snow on Friday that would only bring a couple of centimetres to the region and a significant storm on Saturday looks like it may stay offshore, but if that changes, we will provide updates!

Second Solar Eclipse in as Many Years Might Peak Through the Clouds in the Maritimes Early Saturday

Those in the Maritimes who witnessed last spring’s solar eclipse, and even those who didn’t, might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a partial eclipse as the Sun rises on Saturday, March 29th. The eclipse will actually begin before the sunrise and the Sun will already be partially covered as it begins to rise, so a clear view of the eastern horizon will be necessary.

The odds of the eclipse being visible, though, will be dependent on whether the clouds cooperate and we get some clear skies Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the eclipse will likely not be visible for most of the region due to cloud cover ahead of snow moving in from the west later in the day.

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Timing and Coverage

While parts of the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island experienced totality in 2024, that will not be the case this time around. The good news, however, is that the entire region will still significant sun coverage in the 80%-90% range so that if the eclipse ends up being visible in your area, you’ll be in for a treat!

Solar Eclipse Timing Across New Brunswick

Location	Max Coverage	Sunrise	Maximum	Partial Ends
Bathurst	86.15%	7:06 AM	7:22 AM	8:18 AM
Edmundston	86.10%	7:17 AM	7:22 AM	8:17 AM
Fredericton	84.56%	7:11 AM	7:19 AM	8:14 AM
Miramichi	85.56%	7:06 AM	7:21 AM	8:17 AM
Moncton	84.53%	7:04 AM	7:19 AM	8:15 AM
Saint John	83.76%	7:09 AM	7:18 PM	8:13 AM

Solar Eclipse Timing Across Nova Scotia

Location	Max Coverage	Sunrise	Maximum	Partial Ends
Amherst	84.20%	7:02 AM	7:19 AM	8:15 AM
Antigonish	83.63%	6:53 AM	7:19 AM	8:15 AM
Bridgewater	82.61%	7:04 AM	7:17 AM	8:12 AM
Halifax	82.82%	7:00 AM	7:17 AM	8:13 AM
Kentville	83.40%	7:03 AM	7:18 AM	8:13 AM
New Glasgow	83.71%	6:56 AM	7:19 PM	8:15 AM
Sydney	83.79%	6:46 AM	7:20 PM	8:16 AM
Truro	83.58%	6:59 AM	7:18 PM	8:14 AM
Yarmouth	82.11%	7:10 AM	7:16 PM	8:11 AM

Solar Eclipse Timing Across Prince Edward Island

Location	Max Coverage	Sunrise	Maximum	Partial Ends
Alberton	85.19%	7:00 AM	7:21 AM	8:17 AM
Charlottetown	84.43%	6:57 AM	7:20 AM	8:16 AM
Kensington	84.76%	6:59 AM	7:20 AM	8:16 AM
Montague	84.33%	6:55 AM	7:19 AM	8:16 AM
Souris	84.44%	6:53 AM	7:20 PM	8:16 AM
Summerside	84.70%	7:00 AM	7:20 PM	8:16 AM

For specific eclipse coverage and timing in your location, you can go to timeanddate.com to find detailed information.

Safety Measures

Safety is paramount when viewing any solar eclipse, even a partial one. To ensure a safe and memorable experience, follow these crucial precautions:

• Solar Viewing Glasses: Never attempt to observe the eclipse with the naked eye. Only use certified solar viewing glasses or eclipse glasses with ISO 12312-2 certification, specifically designed to protect your eyes from the Sun's harmful radiation.

• Pinhole Projection: If eclipse glasses are unavailable, create a pinhole projector using common materials like cardboard. This indirect method allows you to project the eclipse safely onto a surface for viewing.

• Telescopes and Binoculars: If using telescopes or binoculars, ensure they are equipped with proper solar filters to safeguard your eyes. Never aim them directly at the Sun without these protective measures.

• Online Streaming: For those unable to view the eclipse in person or seeking a risk-free option, numerous reputable sources will provide live streaming of the event.

• Local Eclipse Events: Consider joining local astronomy clubs or observatories hosting eclipse-viewing gatherings. These events offer expert guidance and a shared sense of community.

We’re going to continue to keep an eye on the cloud cover situation for Saturday over the coming days and will post any updates.

⚠️ Significant Winter Storm Risk For Ontario This Weekend With Three Days of Freezing Rain Possible 🚨

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It may say spring on the calendar but Ontario could get a rude reminder that winter is not done with us quite yet! ❄️🥶 Environment Canada meteorologists are forecasting the potential for a significant winter storm this weekend that could bringing several days of freezing rain, causing icy roads, tree damage, and possible power outages across much of Southern Ontario.

*To clarify, “Southern” Ontario includes Southwestern, Central, Golden Horseshoe and Eastern regions. From many questions we’ve received, it seems that often ‘Southern Ontario’ is mistaken for ‘Southwestern Ontario’.

Meanwhile, lake effect snow will create hazardous travel conditions midweek, and this potentially significant winter storm could extend the icy mess into Sunday. Confidence remains low on exact snowfall amounts and ice accumulation, but this system looks like could pack a punch—stay prepared and watch for updates!

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📅 Tuesday, March 25, 2025

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📍 Location: Areas east of Lake Huron & Georgian Bay

🌨️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Areas east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay
⏳ Timing: Tuesday
⚠️ Impact(s): Hazardous travel conditions, reduced visibility

Confidence: Moderate
Impact: Moderate

🔹 Lake effect snow will develop early Tuesday morning with local snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm possible.

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📅 Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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📍 Location: Areas east of Lake Huron

🌨️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Areas east of Lake Huron
⏳ Timing: Wednesday morning
⚠️ Impact(s): Hazardous travel conditions & Reduced visibility

Confidence: Low
Impact Level: Moderate

🔹 The lake effect snow will drift southward Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with local snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm possible. Snow is expected to ease near midday.

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⚠️ Friday, March 28, 2025

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📍 Location: Portions of southwestern Ontario and the Greater Golden Horseshoe

🧊 Hazard(s): Ice
📍 Location: Portions of southwestern Ontario and the Greater Golden Horseshoe
⏳ Timing: Friday evening
⚠️ Impact(s): Icy surfaces such as roads and walkways

Confidence: Moderate
Impact Level: High

🔹 A prolonged freezing rain event is expected to begin Friday evening, with multiple waves of freezing rain. There is still uncertainty regarding the timing and exact location of the rain/freezing rain boundary. The freezing rain is expected to continue into the weekend for parts of southern, central, and eastern Ontario.

📍 Location: Northeastern, central, and eastern Ontario, as well as eastern portions of the Greater Golden Horseshoe

🌨️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Northeastern, central, and eastern Ontario, as well as eastern portions of the Greater Golden Horseshoe
⏳ Timing: Friday evening
⚠️ Impact(s): Hazardous travel conditions & snow-covered and slippery roads/walkways

Confidence: Low
Impact Level: Moderate

🔹 Snow will push into the region Friday evening before clearing late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Snowfall amounts remain uncertain.

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📍 Location: Northwestern Ontario and western portions of the North Shore of Lake Superior

🌨️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Northwestern Ontario and western portions of the North Shore of Lake Superior
⏳ Timing: Friday
⚠️ Impact(s): Hazardous travel conditions & snow-covered and slippery roads/walkways

Confidence: Low
Impact Level: Moderate

🔹 Heavy snowfall is expected Friday morning, persisting through the day before easing Friday evening. The heaviest snowfall areas remain uncertain.

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⚠️ Saturday, March 29, 2025

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📍 Location: Most of southern Ontario

⏳ Timing: Saturday
🧊 Hazard(s): Ice
📍 Location: Most of southern Ontario
⏳ Timing: Saturday
⚠️ Impact(s):

• ⚠️ Icy roads and walkways

• 🌳 Broken tree branches from ice build-up

• 🔌 Possible utility outages

Confidence: Too low in the extended range to assign a weather threat level
Impact Level: Potentially moderate or greater

🔹 A significant winter storm could bring an extended period of freezing rain, potentially leading to hazardous travel, minor tree damage, and power outages. Stay tuned for updates!

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⚠️ Sunday, March 30, 2025

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📍 Location: Most of southern Ontario

🧊 Hazard(s): Ice
📍 Location: Most of southern Ontario
⏳ Timing: Sunday
⚠️ Impact(s):

• ⚠️ Icy roads and walkways

• 🌳 Broken tree branches from ice build-up

• 🔌 Possible utility outages

Confidence: Too low in the extended range to assign a weather threat level
Impact Level: Potentially moderate or greater

🔹 A prolonged period of freezing rain is possible. Hazardous travel, tree damage, and power outages could occur. Stay alert for future updates!

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Final Thoughts:

A messy mix of snow and freezing rain is set to impact Ontario from Friday through the weekend, bringing travel hazards, icy conditions, and possible power outages. Uncertainty remains in the details but this system has the potential to cause significant impacts—stay tuned for updates!

TLDR; Be prepared for icy conditions, charge your devices, and take caution if you must travel. 🚗💨

Be safe, folks!

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Disclaimer: These forecasts are issued by Environment Canada and typically published via their Twitter/X accounts. We receive these forecast via a daily email and often publish them to help inform our communities.

Spring Storm Looks to Dump Over 10cm of Snow Across Parts of New Brunswick and PEI

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It may be Spring now, but Winter is not giving up without a fight in the Maritimes. Snow will make its return to the region later today and continue into Tuesday morning.

The snow will begin in Western New Brunswick late this afternoon, spreading across the province through the evening. It will also start to snow lightly in Western Nova Scotia in the evening, crossing through to the eastern half of the province and into PEI later in the evening and into the overnight hours.

The snow will be steady and possibly heavy at times across New Brunswick and PEI, which will drive up accumulation totals. The snow, however, will be short-lived in Nova Scotia. After a couple of hours, the snow in Nova Scotia will transition over to rain, with a brief period of ice pellets and freezing rain in between. The majority of the precipitation from this system will end up falling as rain across Nova Scotia, with roughly 10-20mm expected across the province.

The Fundy Coast and both Kings and Queens Counties could see a bit of this mixed precipitation overnight and early Tuesday morning followed by some scattered showers. For the most part, however, both provinces can expect mostly snow over the next 24 hours. The precipitation will start to taper off from west to east during the early morning hours tomorrow and ending across the region by the mid-morning.

Overall, both New Brunswick and PEI can expect over 5cm of snow, with widespread 10-20cm likely across New Brunswick and in Prince County. In Nova Scotia, the transition to rain will limit snowfall totals to less than 5cm, but there is the possibility of more than 5cm falling in the Cape Breton Highlands.

This is just the beginning of what could be an active week for the region and we’re already watching the possibility of another storm hitting late Wednesday.

Southern Ontario: School Bus Cancellations for Monday, March 24, 2025

**Please refresh your page every few minutes to receive the latest update**

Cancellation & Closure Map (English Public and Catholic Schools)

Please note: School board boundaries are a rough estimate. Don’t use this map to determine what school board or weather zone you live in as accuracy isn’t guaranteed.

• Green = No Cancellations

• Red = Cancellations (Click for More Details)

• Purple = School Closures (Click for More Details)

List of Cancellations & Closures

English Public and Catholic Schools

• Near North Public & Nipissing-Parry Sound CathoIic: Bussing for all weather corridors are cancelled today.

• Rainbow Public & Sudbury Catholic: All morning school related transportation services for English Catholic, English public, French Catholic and French public schools, operating in the districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN

• Renfrew County Public & Renfrew County Catholic: Zone 4 Madawaska area transportation services are cancelled with select cancellations in other areas and delays expected.

French Schools

• Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO): All morning school related transportation services for English Catholic, English public, French Catholic and French public schools, operating in the districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN

• Le Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) & Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord: Bussing for all weather corridors are cancelled today.

'Snow Day' Forecast: Late Season School Bus Cancellations Possible on Monday Due to Heavy Snow

For an updated list of school bus cancellations & school closures, please visit our live article: https://instantweatherinc.com/article/2025/3/24/bus-cancellations

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With the school year nearing the end of peak weather-related bus cancellation season, students in parts of Southern Ontario may still have a chance to squeeze in one more snow day before spring fully takes over.

A messy weather system is set to sweep across Southern Ontario overnight Sunday into Monday, bringing the potential for accumulating snow and hazardous travel conditions during the Monday morning commute. Areas around Georgian Bay could see up to 20 cm of snowfall, which may be enough to trigger widespread school bus cancellations in some regions.

Environment Canada has issued winter travel advisories for parts of Grey-Bruce, Parry Sound, and North Bay, making these locations the most likely to experience disruptions on Monday morning.

For students in the Near North District School Board, which covers Parry Sound and North Bay, the likelihood of a snow day is quite high, sitting at 75%. With these areas expected to receive the heaviest snowfall, and considering that this school board has a history of being cautious with winter weather, there's a strong possibility that school buses will be canceled on Monday.

The Bruce Peninsula, Northern Muskoka, and North Hastings (Tri-Board) face a more uncertain forecast, with the chances of a snow day sitting at 50/50. These areas are expected to see less snowfall overall. However, factors like blowing snow and reduced visibility during the morning hours could still result in cancellations, especially in rural and exposed areas.

For the rest of Grey-Bruce, along with South Muskoka and northern sections of Tri-Board, the chance of school bus cancellations is slight but not impossible. Snowfall amounts will likely be lower, but conditions could still lead to localized travel disruptions, particularly on untreated roads.

The probability of a snow day drops significantly for the rest of Southern Ontario, including Southwestern Ontario, the Golden Horseshoe, and Eastern Ontario. Snowfall in these areas is not expected to be heavy enough to warrant widespread bus cancellations. However, there remains a small chance (5-25%) of isolated cancellations, particularly in rural areas where road conditions can deteriorate more quickly.

While this storm won’t bring a province-wide snow day, those in the hardest-hit regions should keep an eye on overnight conditions and school board announcements early Monday morning.

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Disclaimer: Instant Weather has zero authority when it comes to bus and school closures.

It is completely up to the school boards, bus companies, local authorities, and parents to decide what is best for their children. This is our best guess based on our forecast.

Spring Snowstorm Could Dump Up to 20cm of Snow on Parts of Southern Ontario to Start the Week

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After an active month of wintry weather across Southern Ontario, March has taken a much calmer turn, bringing spring-like temperatures and even double-digit highs in some areas. However, don’t be fooled by the recent warmth—winter isn’t quite done with us yet. Despite what the calendar says, a surge of colder air will take over for the final days of March, setting the stage for a late-season snowstorm on the horizon.

An organized system is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Southern Ontario starting late Sunday evening and continuing into Monday. Mixed precipitation will likely limit snowfall accumulation along the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines. However, further north, particularly around Georgian Bay, lake enhancement could boost totals, with some areas seeing 10-20 cm of snow. This storm could bring the most substantial snowfall in weeks, potentially impacting the Monday morning commute.

In addition to the snow, strong winds will develop on Monday morning and afternoon, with gusts reaching 50 to 70 km/h. This will lead to blowing snow and reduced visibility, especially in areas prone to drifting, such as Grey-Bruce.

PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

The messy weather is set to arrive Sunday evening, with the first bands of precipitation moving into Southwestern Ontario. However, the forecast remains tricky due to overnight warming temperatures. Some areas will start off with wet snow before transitioning to rain, especially near Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

For Deep Southwestern Ontario, including Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, and the Niagara region, snowfall will likely be limited as these areas will see mainly rain or a quick changeover from snow to rain after only a few hours. London, Goderich, and Kitchener will see more prolonged snowfall through the overnight hours, though freezing rain and ice pellets may mix in at times.

PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

The heaviest snow is expected to move into Central and Eastern Ontario by the pre-dawn hours of Monday, with several hours of steady snowfall along the leading edge of the system. However, since temperatures will be rising overnight, some of this snow may struggle to accumulate, particularly on road surfaces. Areas near the Lake Ontario shoreline may also see a mix of snow, rain, and ice pellets rather than steady snowfall.

By Monday morning, snow will continue spreading northeast, reaching the Ottawa Valley by sunrise. Given the timing, the snow could create challenging travel conditions during the morning commute, with reduced visibility and slushy roads. School bus cancellations may be possible in rural parts of Central and Eastern Ontario.

PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

While the widespread snowfall will taper off by late morning or early afternoon, lingering snow is expected around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, where lake enhancement could lead to heavier localized snowfall. Grey-Bruce, Parry Sound, and North Bay will be among the hardest-hit areas, with additional accumulations into Monday night.

Meanwhile, for Eastern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe, the bulk of the snow will be finished by midday Monday. However, light lake-effect snow will persist in the snowbelt regions throughout the rest of Monday into Tuesday. Some weak snow squalls could occasionally drift into Eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), but accumulation will be minimal outside of the snowbelt zones.

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By the time the system exits Monday evening, the highest snowfall totals will likely be in Bruce Peninsula, northeast Georgian Bay, and Northern Ontario, including Tobermory, Manitoulin Island, Sudbury, Parry Sound, North Bay, and Huntsville. These areas are expected to see 10-20 cm, with locally higher amounts possible.

That said, above-freezing temperatures for several hours on Monday could lead to melting and compacting of the snow, potentially reducing overall accumulations from what falls initially.

For Central Ontario, including Kitchener, Orangeville, Hanover, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Midland, Orillia, Bracebridge, and Bancroft, snowfall totals will generally range between 5-10 cm by Monday evening. However, some areas east of Lake Huron may see slightly higher totals, depending on lake enhancement.

For the Ottawa Valley, Southwestern Ontario, and the Golden Horseshoe away from the lakeshores, accumulations will likely stay under 5 cm. These areas may see a few centimetres of wet snow Sunday night, but overall, nothing significant is expected.

Regions directly along the Lake Ontario and Erie shorelines, as well as Deep Southwestern Ontario, will see little to no snowfall as rain or mixed precipitation will dominate.

Beyond Monday, lake-effect snow will persist into Tuesday, mainly affecting areas around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, where localized snow squalls could bring a few extra centimetres.

Winter Isn’t Giving up Without a Fight in Parts of Ontario This Week

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Spring may have arrived on the calendar, but winter clearly didn’t get the memo! A late season storm is on the way to remind parts of Ontario that mother nature decides when we’re done with winter. This system will bringing hazardous travel conditions, accumulating snowfall, and blowing snow. Just when you thought it was safe to pack away the snow shovel, winter decides to throw another snowy tantrum to start off the week!

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Sunday, March 23, 2025

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Location: North and west of Lake Superior

❄️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: North and west of Lake Superior
⏳ Timing: Sunday into Monday morning
⚠️ Impact(s): Hazardous travel conditions, reduced visibility, and possible road closures

✅ Confidence: High
📉 Impact: Moderate

A widespread snowfall event will bring accumulations of 15 to 25 cm north and west of Lake Superior. While confidence is high for at least 15 cm, higher terrain areas could see totals closer to 25 cm, though confidence in these higher amounts remains low.

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Location: Northwestern Ontario and north of Lake Superior

❄️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Northwestern Ontario and north of Lake Superior
⏳ Timing: Sunday into Monday morning
⚠️ Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions

✅ Confidence: Moderate
📉 Impact: Moderate

Northwestern Ontario and areas northeast toward Lake Nipigon could see 5 to 15 cm of snow. The highest totals, near 10 to 15 cm, are expected close to the Minnesota border and northeastward.

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Monday, March 24, 2025

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Location: Northeastern Ontario and parts of southern Ontario

❄️ Hazard(s): Snow
📍 Location: Northeastern Ontario and parts of southern Ontario
⏳ Timing: Monday
⚠️ Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions

✅ Confidence: Moderate
📉 Impact: Moderate

Snow will begin late Sunday night or early Monday morning, with accumulations of 5 to 15 cm expected. However, areas in southern Ontario could see snow transition to rain showers by late morning or early afternoon, creating slushy and messy road conditions. Later in the day, snow will redevelop east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

There is some uncertainty regarding how far south the heavier snow will extend, as the system's track and timing of the changeover to rain remain uncertain.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2025

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Location: Areas east of northern Lake Huron

❄️ Hazard(s): Snow, Blowing Snow
📍 Location: Areas east of northern Lake Huron
⏳ Timing: Tuesday
⚠️ Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions

✅ Confidence: Moderate
📉 Impact: Moderate

Lake effect snow will develop early Tuesday morning, with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected. Gusty winds will create areas of blowing snow, leading to reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

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Final Thoughts:

Winter may be running out of time, but it's making the most of its final days with multiple rounds of accumulating snow and travel impacts. The heaviest snowfall is expected north and west of Lake Superior, with lesser amounts across northwestern and northeastern Ontario. For southern Ontario, uncertainty remains regarding the transition from snow to rain, which could impact accumulation totals.

By Tuesday, lake effect snow and blowing snow east of northern Lake Huron could further worsen travel conditions. Those with travel plans should stay updated on forecasts and prepare for changing road conditions. While spring may be on the calendar, winter isn’t leaving without a fight.

Be safe, folks!

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Disclaimer: These forecasts are issued by Environment Canada and typically published via their Twitter/X accounts. We receive these forecast via a daily email and often publish them to help inform our communities.

The First Day of Spring Won’t Feel Spring-Like in Southern Ontario as Snow Returns on Thursday

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Although we’ve had an early taste of spring across Southern Ontario, the first official day of astronomical spring arrives Thursday morning. But don’t put that shovel away just yet! The mild temperatures we’ve been enjoying are about to be replaced by a surge of colder air over the next 24 hours.

Unfortunately, this means temperatures will drop back into the single digits, and in some cases, below freezing. Along with the cooler temperatures, scattered flurries are expected to develop in parts of Southern Ontario starting Thursday afternoon. While we aren’t anticipating significant accumulation, some areas could see a few slushy centimetres of snow on the roads. This could pose a challenge for those who have switched to summer tires a little too soon.

Looking ahead, it appears this below-seasonal trend will continue through the weekend and into early next week, bringing several chances for snow. Some of these systems could produce notable snowfall accumulation, especially for more northern sections of Central and Eastern Ontario over the weekend.

PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

Right now, a storm system is affecting Northeastern Ontario, with snow expected to continue overnight into Thursday morning. Areas including Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake, and Timmins are on track to see heavy snow, with totals ranging from 20 to 40 cm in the hardest-hit locations.

For the most up-to-date details on the impacts on Northern Ontario, please refer to Environment Canada’s latest alerts by downloading our free weather app here.

Meanwhile, over Southern Ontario, a weakening line of thunderstorms is expected to push through during the pre-dawn hours of Thursday. When you wake up, it may still feel like spring, with temperatures near double digits in the morning. However, don’t be fooled—a sharp drop in temperatures is expected later in the day. If you’re heading out, it’s definitely a day to layer up!

Rainfall amounts will likely be fairly insignificant, with around 5 to 10 mm expected. However, localized areas could see higher amounts if they experience heavier thunderstorms.

PRECIPITATION TYPE - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

By Thursday afternoon, cold air will begin filtering into western sections of Southern Ontario, leading to a rain-to-snow transition starting as early as 1 to 3 PM for regions near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

With temperatures dropping close to the freezing mark and residual moisture from earlier rainfall, icy conditions could develop on untreated surfaces. While it doesn’t look like a true flash freeze, it could still result in hazardous travel conditions Thursday evening and into the overnight hours.

The snow is expected to persist into the evening, with the heaviest precipitation focused on Southwestern and Central Ontario. Areas in Eastern Ontario and around the Golden Horseshoe will likely avoid the transition to snow, as temperatures won’t drop enough before the precipitation exits.

temperature - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

Friday, the first full day of spring, will start on a chilly note, with most of Southern Ontario waking up to temperatures at or slightly below freezing. This also means a risk of frost, so if you’ve started gardening early, you may want to bring in or cover any sensitive plants.

Factoring in the wind chill, some parts of Central and Eastern Ontario could experience feels-like temperatures in the -10s—a sharp contrast to the 20°C+ highs that many regions enjoyed on Wednesday!

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Despite this blast of colder air, we aren’t expecting significant snowfall accumulation on Thursday, especially compared to what Grey-Bruce and Muskoka have endured this winter.

However, there could still be some travel impacts, with 2 to 4 cm possible in areas including Kincardine, Hanover, Owen Sound, Wiarton, Tobermory, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Sundridge, and North Bay. Due to wet surfaces from earlier rain, some of this snow may melt on contact, leading to lower actual snowfall totals.

Elsewhere across Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario, and the Ottawa Valley, a few flurries could fall Thursday afternoon into the evening, but accumulation will be minimal—at most 2 cm, and in many cases, it may not even stick to the ground.

This won’t be our last chance for snow in the coming days. We are closely monitoring a weak system that could bring a few centimeters of snow to Southern Ontario on Saturday.

Another system, arriving Sunday night into Monday, could be more significant. Early model data suggests it may bring over 10 cm of snow to parts of the region. However, the exact snowfall amounts will depend on the storm’s track, as it also appears to include freezing rain and mixed precipitation. We’ll be watching this closely and will have more details as we get closer.

First Isolated Severe Thunderstorm Risk of the Season for Parts of Southern Ontario Sunday Afternoon and Evening

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It’s certainly been a while since we’ve had an isolated risk for severe thunderstorm activity in Southern Ontario, but here we are! Welcome to Spring! What we’re expecting is a line of thunderstorms and based on the time I’m writing this (11:11am), it looks like it has already begun to develop over Lake Erie. This line will continue to push to the northeast, affecting the Niagara Region and potentially all the way up to Barrie and parts of Simcoe County.

RADAR IMAGE FROM 11:12 AM EDT - MAP FROM INSTANTWEATHER PRO

Taking a look at the IW Pro app screenshot above, you can see the thunderstorm line beginning to develop over Lake Erie. We’re expecting nickel-size hail (perhaps a bit larger), strong wind gusts, torrential rain and frequent lightning with this line. Additionally, you can see a red outline of a Tornado Watch south of the border that covers areas south of Lake Erie.

An isolated tornado cannot be entirely ruled out with this system slipping past the international border and tracking into Ontario, so we’ll be keeping a very close eye on radar today. If you don’t already have our free app, InstantWeather, today may be a good day to download it so we can notify you of any rotating storms, funnel cloud reports or Environment Canada alerts.

Some models have also shown some very intense wind gusts, potentially exceeding 100km/h, especially in eastern Ontario, so we’re fairly concerned with that potential. Being an early season event, we decided to go with a Marginal (green) risk, but there certainly is a chance these storms could exceed the Slight (yellow) threshold, especially with the wind risk.

MAX WIND GUST FORECAST FROM THE HRRR MODEL - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

In the image above, we see the HRRR model’s maximum wind gust forecast for Southern Ontario, showing some very strong winds in yellow and orange. This is just one model’s output so it’s not a guarantee. Nonetheless, if wind gusts do reach these levels, even in isolated areas, we could end up seeing some fairly strong wind damage to trees, hydro polls or perhaps even structures.

The main risk, timing wise, should begin this afternoon in the Niagara Region, with storms moving northeast from Lake Erie and that risk should continue to spread northeast into the evening hours. Generally, our main concern is for Niagara and areas north and east of Lake Ontario into eastern Ontario. However, we have highlighted parts of Southwestern Ontario, the GTHA, and Central Ontario as well, as we’ve seen some model data suggesting strong wind gusts are possible in those regions, along with hail, torrential rain, isolated flooding, frequent lightning and a small risk of an isolated tornado.

In general, the tornado risk is quite isolated. Having said that, with a potent system south of the border, there is always a chance we could see some tornado activity sneak into Ontario and based on some of the model data we’ve seen over the past couple of days, the risk of a spin-up or two cannot be ruled out.

We do plan on doing a livestream if storms continue to look strong this afternoon and evening so make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel in order to get notified if and when we go live!

We’ll be posting more updates to our social media pages as well so if you’re on Facebook, you can find us at Ontario Storm Watch. We also have a fantastic storm reporting group on FB with Ontario Storm Reports. And if you’re on X/Twitter, you can find us at @IWeatherON.

More details ASAP and stay safe today, folks!

- Adam

Mid-March Snowfall Will Help Build Back Some Snowpack With 10-20cm Expected Across a Wide Stretch of Alberta & Saskatchewan

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While we’re a little over a week away from the official start of spring, a majority of the snowpack is already gone across parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. However, winter is still hanging on with more snow incoming over the next couple of days.

This will help to add some much-needed moisture to part of the region, especially since we have seen well below average snowfall since November. Unfortunately for Southern Alberta, the driest part of the Prairies, can expect little to none of this incoming moisture.

The snow will cross through the Rockies and into Alberta at around sunrise on Thursday and spread northeastward deeper into the province throughout the morning and into the afternoon. The snow will intensify starting in the early afternoon and this heavier snowfall will continue straight through overnight. This will lead to a large stretch of Central and Northern Alberta receiving 10-20cm of snow and up to 25cm possible to the north of Lake La Biche and Cold Lake through Friday morning.

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue) and Rain (Green) at 4PM MT on Thursday

Light snow will make its way into Northern Saskatchewan early Thursday afternoon, followed by the more intense snowfall beginning in the early evening. This area of heavier snow will cross through Saskatchewan in an almost due easterly path and similar to in Alberta, it will dump 10-20cm across a large stretch of the province and up to 30cm from the Alberta border to almost La Ronge by Friday afternoon.

The arrival of additional moisture from a separate low-pressure system in the US on Friday morning makes the forecast in Central and Southern Saskatchewan a bit more complicated. This appears to be bringing a combination of rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow to most of the southern half of the province throughout the morning as it merges with the system from the west.

There is still some uncertainty regarding the precipitation type and the area that could be impacted by the arrival of the secondary system. Therefore, for this forecast, we are only focusing on the snow coming from Alberta and we will cover this additional precipitation in a separate forecast that will be issued later in the day on Thursday

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue), Rain (Green), Freezing rain (pink), and ice pellets (orange) at 2aM MT on Friday

Total Lunar Eclipse Alert: Rare Blood Moon Visible Across Ontario on Thursday Night

Image of a total lunar eclipse/blood moon

On the night of Thursday, March 13, 2025, into the early hours of Friday, March 14, Ontario residents will have the opportunity to witness a spectacular total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a “Blood Moon.” 

What to Expect

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that gives the Moon a reddish hue. This phenomenon occurs as Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter-wavelength blue light, allowing the longer-wavelength red and orange light to illuminate the Moon’s surface.

Key Times for Ontario

Eastern Daylight Time

• Start of Penumbral Eclipse: 11:57 PM on Thursday, March 13

• Start of Totality: 2:26 AM on Friday, March 14

• Maximum Eclipse: 2:58 AM

• End of Totality: 3:31 AM

• End of Penumbral Eclipse: 6:00 AM

The totality phase, when the Moon is entirely within Earth’s shadow and appears deepest red, will last approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. 

Viewing Tips

• No Special Equipment Needed: Lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye. However, using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experience by providing a closer view of the Moon’s surface.

• Optimal Viewing Locations: Find a dark area away from city lights to reduce light pollution. Elevated spots with an unobstructed view of the sky are ideal.

• Weather Considerations: Check local weather forecasts to ensure clear skies during the eclipse. Partly cloudy conditions may still allow for intermittent viewing.

TOTAL CLOUD COVER ON FRIDAY MORNING - MAP FROM WEATHERBELL

Viewing Conditions Across Ontario

• Southern Ontario: Forecasts indicate mostly clear skies throughout the eclipse period, providing optimal viewing conditions. However, some areas may experience pockets of partly cloudy skies, so it’s advisable to monitor local forecasts as the event approaches. Download our free app for your local forecast.

• Northern Ontario: Regions, especially Northwestern Ontario and areas around Lake Superior, may encounter heavy cloud cover, potentially obstructing the view of the eclipse. Residents in these areas should check local weather updates for the most accurate information.

Photography Tips

• Use a Tripod: To capture clear images, stabilize your camera to prevent blurring during long exposures.

• Adjust Exposure Settings: Since the Moon will be dimmer during totality, longer exposure times and higher ISO settings may be necessary.

• Practice Prior to the Eclipse: Familiarize yourself with your camera’s settings and practice shooting the Moon on clear nights leading up to the event.

More Freezing Rain & Snow in Store, Potential for Flash Freeze Across the Maritimes on Friday

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The moisture-laden Colorado Low that has brought a mixed bag of precipitation to the Maritimes over the past two days appears to have one last trick up its sleeve. Cold air will flood into the region overnight, transitioning the rain over to snow and bringing some further complications.

In New Brunswick, the rain will start to switch over at around 1-2AM, however there will be a couple of hours of freezing rain in Central and Northern New Brunswick once again before the change over to snow. The heaviest snow is expected to fall in Carleton and Victoria Counties and northward into Madawaska and parts of Restigouche. This region can expect 10-20cm of snow by Saturday morning and the possibility of locally higher amounts, particularly in Madawaska County. Much of the rest of the province will see 5-10cm, with the exception of along the Fundy Coast and into the Southeast and Moncton area, where less than 5cm is anticipated.

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue), Rain (Green), Freezing rain (Pink), and Ice pellets (Orange) at 5AM AT Friday

In Western Nova Scotia, the rain will taper off in the early morning hours of Friday, but it will be replaced by snow starting at around 8-9AM. The snow will be light and short-lived for much of the western half of the Mainland, but it will remain fairly steady in the Annapolis Valley through the afternoon and into the evening, leading to 5-10cm by the end of the day.

Across the rest of Mainland Nova Scotia, snowfall will be light and scattered as the band of snow makes its way across the province, leading to up to 5cm. The snow will eventually begin in Cape Breton late Friday evening, where it will continue through to Saturday morning. Most of the Island can expect 5-10cm, with lesser amounts around Sydney and up to 20cm in the Highlands.

The snow in Prince Edward Island, like in most of Nova Scotia, will also be very light and patchy. It will reach the province in the evening and the scattered flurries will continue into Saturday morning, leading to up to 5cm across the Island.

Modelled Temperatures at 9PM Thursday

Modelled Temperatures at 1PM Friday

The drop in temperatures that will cause the transition from rain to snow has another considerable implication. Temperatures are expected to plummet to several degrees below freezing across the region, after climbing into the double digits Thursday, and when combined with the preceding rain and melt-water, most of the Maritimes is under the threat of a flash freeze occurring on Friday.

This potential flash freeze could lead to wet, untreated surfaces quickly becoming icy and making travel hazardous as the temperatures drop across the region. Adding a layer of snow on top of this ice will keep things quite slippery as well.

The winds are expected to pick up on Friday, gusting up to 70km/h through most of the afternoon and then as high as 100km/h beginning in the evening and continuing for most of Saturday. These strong winds will likely reduce visibility due to blowing snow, both during and after the snow has stopped falling, and possibly lead to localized power outages.

Southern Ontario: School Bus Cancellations for Thursday, March 6, 2025

**Please refresh your page every few minutes to receive the latest update**

Cancellation & Closure Map (English Public and Catholic Schools)

Please note: School board boundaries are a rough estimate. Don’t use this map to determine what school board or weather zone you live in as accuracy isn’t guaranteed.

• Green = No Cancellations

• Red = Cancellations (Click for More Details)

• Purple = School Closures (Click for More Details)

List of Cancellations & Closures

English Public and Catholic Schools

• Avon MaitIand Public & Huron-Perth CathoIic: There are several cancellations and school closures, please visit this link for more details: https://geoquery.hpsts.ca/Alerts

• BIuewater Public & Bruce-Grey Catholic: There are several cancellations, please visit this link for more details: https://www.mybrucegreyschoolbus.ca/Cancellations.aspx

• Dufferin-PeeI Catholic: Buses to St Andrew, St Peter, St Benedict and RF Hall are cancelled today. St Andrew, St Peter and St Benedict are closed.

• Durham Public & Durham Catholic: DSTS has cancelled Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3 transportation for today due to inclement weather.

• Near North Public & Nipissing-Parry Sound CathoIic: Bussing for all weather corridors are cancelled today.

• Kawartha Pine Ridge Public & Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic: All busses are cancelled.

• PeeI Public: All transportation to RF Hall SS is cancelled today due to cancellations in Dufferin County.

• Rainbow Public & Sudbury Catholic: All busses are cancelled.

• Renfrew County Public & Renfrew County Catholic: Transportation services are CANCELLED for Zone 1 (Deep River), Zone 4 (Madawaska), Zone 5 (Cobden, Douglas, Eganville)

• Simcoe County Public & Simcoe Catholic: All busses are cancelled. Schools are closed in Muskoka.

• Thames Valley Public & London CathoIic: ALL school purpose vehicles servicing LDCSB & TVDSB in Middlesex County, Oxford County, Elgin County, and the Red Zone will be CANCELLED

• Tri-Board: Due to current road conditions and the expected drop in temperature, transportation is cancelled in the North Hastings weather zone today.

• Trillium LakeIands: All busses are cancelled and schools are closed.

• Upper Grand Public & Wellington CathoIic: Busses are cancelled for Centre Wellington, Town of Erin, Town of Rockwood (Division 2), North Wellington (Division 3), and Dufferin County and Robert F. Hall (Division 4). Schools in these Divisions are also closed.

French Schools

• Conseil catholique MonAvenir: Disruption to school transport and/or the opening of certain schools in the following regions: Durham, Simcoe, Peterborough

• Conseil scolaire catholique Providence: Busses are cancelled for Region of Oxford, Region of Middlesex (rural routes), Region of Bruce-Grey

• Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO): All busses are cancelled

• Conseil scolaire Viamonde: Busses are cancelled for Region of Simcoe, Region of Durham, Region of Wellington

• Le Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) & Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord: All busses are cancelled.

'Snow Day' Forecast: Flash Freeze Risk Could Cancel School Buses in Parts of Southern Ontario on Thursday

For an updated list of school bus cancellations & school closures, please visit our live article: https://instantweatherinc.com/article/2025/3/6/bus-cancellations

NOTE: YOU CAN CLICK ON THE MAP TO OPEN A ZOOMABLE IMAGE

After Southern Ontario got a brief taste of spring-like weather with mild temperatures and heavy rain on Wednesday, a drastic shift is about to take hold as temperatures plummet below freezing.

This sharp drop will likely lead to the development of icy roads, especially in areas where surfaces are still wet from rain and snowmelt over the past 24 hours. Blowing snow could also become a concern around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, with lake-effect snow returning to those regions on Thursday.

While we don’t typically issue bus cancellation forecasts based on local road conditions, the situation is widespread enough to warrant a forecast, especially with Environment Canada alerts mentioning hazardous travel conditions.

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has already announced full school closures for Thursday, and it wouldn’t be surprising if other nearby school boards follow suit—at least in terms of school bus cancellations.

The school boards and bus consortiums most likely to cancel buses on Thursday include Bluewater, Near North, and Tri-Board, as they tend to be the most proactive when it comes to poor road conditions.

For the rest of the rural school boards across Central and Eastern Ontario, it’s a toss-up and will depend on local road conditions. Some areas in the orange zone could see cancellations, while others might run as usual. This uncertainty is exactly why we typically don’t issue forecasts for cancellations due to icy roads.

Urban school boards in the GTA and Ottawa are unlikely to be affected, as road conditions are generally much better in these areas.

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Disclaimer: Instant Weather has zero authority when it comes to bus and school closures.

It is completely up to the school boards, bus companies, local authorities, and parents to decide what is best for their children. This is our best guess based on our forecast.

Icy Mix, Flash Freeze and Strong Winds Could Bring Travel Disruptions to Ontario on Thursday

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Thursday, March 6, 2025: Winter Weather Hazards For Parts of Ontario

Environment Canada is forecasting a mix of snow, strong winds, and rapidly dropping temperatures for Thursday. Rain will transition to snow across much of the province, with accumulations of 5 to 10 cm expected in several areas. Strong northwest winds could reach up to 80 km/h, leading to widespread blowing snow and dangerous travel conditions, especially southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Additionally, a sharp temperature drop will cause any standing water or wet surfaces to freeze quickly, creating hazardous icy conditions. Eastern Ontario and the Greater Golden Horseshoe will see a heightened risk of ice as rain transitions to freezing conditions throughout the day. Travelers should prepare for difficult driving conditions, reduced visibility, and potential road closures. Stay updated on this evolving system as details continue to develop.

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Location: Portions of central Ontario and southern portions of northeastern Ontario

• Hazard(s): Snow, Blowing Snow, and Ice

• Timing: Thursday

• Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions, reduced visibility, and possible road closures.

• Confidence: High

• Impact Level: Moderate

Rain will transition to snow early Thursday morning, with snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm expected. Alongside this snowfall, gusty northwest winds will lead to blowing snow in exposed areas. A sharp temperature drop will cause any standing water or wet surfaces to freeze quickly, creating hazardous icy conditions Thursday morning.

Location: Areas southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay

• Hazard(s): Snow, Blowing Snow, Wind, and Ice

• Timing: Thursday

• Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions, reduced visibility, possible road closures, and potential power outages.

• Confidence: Moderate

• Impact Level: High

Rain will transition to snow overnight or early Thursday morning, with 5 to 10 cm of accumulation possible. Strong northwest winds up to 80 km/h are expected, causing widespread blowing snow and dangerous whiteout conditions. The sharp temperature drop will also lead to ice formation as wet surfaces quickly freeze Thursday morning.

Location: Portions of eastern Ontario and the Greater Golden Horseshoe

• Hazard(s): Ice

• Timing: Thursday

• Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions due to rapid freezing and ice buildup.

• Confidence: Moderate

• Impact Level: Moderate
  
  Rain will transition to snow Thursday morning or afternoon, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature. Any standing water or wet surfaces are expected to freeze quickly throughout the day, leading to slick and icy conditions on roads and sidewalks.
  

Location: Portions of southwestern Ontario and areas northeast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario

• Hazard(s): Snow, blowing snow, wind, and ice

• Timing: Thursday

• Impact(s): Difficult travel conditions, reduced visibility, and possible road closures. Possible power outages.

• Confidence: Moderate

• Impact Level: Moderate

Rain will transition to snow overnight or early Thursday morning, with snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 cm expected. Strong west or southwest winds, potentially reaching 80 km/h, may cause blowing snow in exposed areas, further reducing visibility. A sharp temperature drop will also lead to icy conditions as standing water or wet surfaces freeze rapidly Thursday morning. Travelers should prepare for hazardous road conditions and potential disruptions.

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Friday, March 7, 2025: Snow Squalls & Blowing Snow

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Location: Southeast of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay

• Hazard(s): Snow and blowing snow

• Timing: Beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Friday

• Impact(s): Possible difficult travel conditions

• Confidence: Moderate

• Impact: Moderate

Lake effect snow is expected to develop Thursday night and persist through Friday, bringing total snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm. Gusty winds may lead to areas of blowing snow, particularly in exposed locations, reducing visibility and making travel hazardous. Drivers should prepare for changing road conditions and potential delays.

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Final Thoughts:

As this storm system moves through, travel across parts of Ontario will become increasingly difficult on Thursday due to a combination of snow, blowing snow, strong winds, and icy conditions. The transition from rain to snow, along with a sharp temperature drop, will create hazardous roads as wet surfaces quickly freeze. Power outages are also a concern in areas experiencing stronger winds, particularly near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Lake effect snow will add to the challenges on Friday, especially southeast of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay, where accumulating snowfall and blowing snow could lead to reduced visibility and treacherous driving conditions. While uncertainty remains regarding exact snowfall totals, the potential for rapid changes in weather conditions warrants extra caution.

If you must travel, plan ahead, check road conditions frequently, and be prepared for sudden deteriorations. Stay tuned for updates as this system develops.

Be safe, folks!

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Disclaimer: These forecasts are issued by Environment Canada and typically published via their Twitter/X accounts. We receive these forecast via a daily email and often publish them for our communities to see.

Southern Ontario: School Bus Cancellations for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

**Please refresh your page every few minutes to receive the latest update**

Cancellation & Closure Map (English Public and Catholic Schools)

Please note: School board boundaries are a rough estimate. Don’t use this map to determine what school board or weather zone you live in as accuracy isn’t guaranteed.

• Green = No Cancellations

• Red = Cancellations (Click for More Details)

• Purple = School Closures (Click for More Details)

List of Cancellations & Closures

English Public and Catholic Schools

• Durham Public & Durham Catholic: DSTS has cancelled Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3 transportation for today due to inclement weather.

• Near North Public & Nipissing-Parry Sound CathoIic: Bussing for all weather corridors are cancelled today.

• Rainbow Public & Sudbury Catholic: All busses are cancelled.

• Renfrew County Public & Renfrew County Catholic: Transportation services are CANCELLED for ALL AREAS by for Wednesday March 5, 2025 due on going Freezing Rain with mixed precipitation forecasted throughout the day.

• Simcoe County Public & Simcoe Catholic: Busses are cancelled for Muskoka.

• Tri-Board: Due to current road conditions, transportation is cancelled in some of Tri-Board’s north and central weather zones today. For a complete list of bus cancellations and delays visit: https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Alerts

• Trillium LakeIands: All school vehicles to schools in all Zones for Trillium Lakelands District School Board have been cancelled.

French Schools

• Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO): School transport is cancelled today for schools in Pembroke due to poor road conditions in this area.

• Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est: transportation has been cancelled for schools in Pembroke due bad road conditions.

• Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO): All busses are cancelled.

• Le Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) & Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord: All busses are cancelled.

Threat of Localized Flooding & Freezing Rain Risk in New Brunswick with the Arrival of a Winter Storm Wednesday

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A Colorado Low is set to move through the Maritimes this week, bringing a mixture of rain, freezing rain, and snow to the region, along with the risk of flooding as temperatures rise.

Brief light snow will begin in Southwestern New Brunswick at around sunrise on Wednesday, spreading northeastward into the province throughout the morning and early afternoon. There is a chance for some freezing drizzle around Saint John mixed with the snow. Meanwhile in Nova Scotia, the precipitation will fall as rain across much of the western half of the province, aside from some light snow expected in Northern Nova Scotia.

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue), Rain (Green), Freezing rain (Pink), and Ice pellets (Orange) at 1PM AT Wednesday

By the mid-afternoon, the bulk of the moisture from the system will push eastward into the region, bringing rain to Nova Scotia and Southern New Brunswick while Central and Northern New Brunswick will start to receive snow. The precipitation will reach PEI later in the afternoon as a mix of rain and snow across the Island.

Model Image showing the location and intensity of snow (Blue), Rain (Green), Freezing rain (Pink), and Ice pellets (Orange) at 12AM AT Thursday

Starting in the evening, the warm air and rain will start to push northward, leading to a transition from snow to a few hours of freezing rain across Central and Northern New Brunswick, as well as into PEI and Cape Breton. The freezing rain will continue overnight and into early Thursday morning. Ice accretions of up to 5mm are likely, but buildup will be short-lived as the temperatures will continue to rise and the freezing rain will switch over to rain for the remainder of Thursday.

Ahead of the transition to freezing rain and rain, up to 10cm of snow will fall, with the highest amounts expected in Retigouche County and into the Acadian Peninsula.

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Not only will the fresh snowfall melt with the rain and temperatures climbing into the double digits on Thursday, but a considerable amount of pre-existing snowpack, especially across New Brunswick will also melt. Parts of Central and Northern New Brunswick have over 70cm of snow on the ground as of Tuesday evening and that value is expected to drop to below 50cm in some areas by Friday. Similarly, Moncton and Saint John, where 10-20cm is already on the ground, could see most, if not all, of their snow melt.

This rapid melting of the snow, along with some heavy rain expected later in the day on Thursday, has led to a significant flooding threat across New Brunswick. The ground is still frozen and recent frigid temperatures have led to ice buildup on lakes and rivers, which will limit where the water from the snow melt and rain can go.

The situation in Nova Scotia and into PEI is less widespread with lesser snowpack overall. There are some areas in Nova Scotia that have up to 30cm of snow on the ground that will almost completely melt, namely in the Annapolis Valley and in Cumberland and Colchester Counties. Those in Cape Breton can expect to see some of their snowpack melt, but the Highlands will experience very little change. In Prince Edward Island, on the other hand, next to no snow will remain on the Island come Friday aside from pockets of up to 5cm possibly remaining in Prince and/or Kings Counties.

The modelled depth of snow across Atlantic Canada, in centimetres, as of 8pm Tuesday.

Flooding Risk & Heavy Snow Possible Wednesday For Parts of Ontario Says Environment Canada's Forecast

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A Colorado Low is expected to bring a mix of rain and snow to Ontario on Wednesday, potentially leading to flooding concerns in some areas and hazardous winter weather in others. The exact track of this system remains uncertain, and future updates may bring changes to precipitation amounts and affected areas. Here’s what Environment Canada has mentioned in their forecast:

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Southern Ontario: Flooding Risk for Tuesday night - Wednesday, March 5:

Hazard: Rain
Location: East of Lake Huron, central Ontario, and portions of northeastern Ontario
Timing: Tuesday night through Wednesday
Impact: Potential flooding in low-lying areas and possible washouts near rivers, creeks, and culverts.
Confidence: Low
Impact: High

A strong system moving into the province could bring significant rainfall to these regions. The combination of heavy rain and rapid snowmelt in areas with a deep snowpack could lead to localized flooding issues. The exact track of the system remains uncertain, so be sure to stay updated as new information becomes available.

Hazard: Rain
Location: Southwestern, eastern Ontario, and the Golden Horseshoe
Timing: Tuesday night through Wednesday
Impact: Possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Confidence: Low
Impact: Moderate

Rainfall from the same system could cause flooding concerns in urban areas and places with poor drainage. While the overall flood risk is lower than in central and northeastern Ontario, localized issues remain possible due to snowmelt and prolonged rainfall.

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Northeastern Ontario: Heavy Snow Possible Wednesday, March 5:

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Environment Canada’s forecast:

Hazard: Snow
Location: Northeastern Ontario and areas north of Lake Superior
Timing: Wednesday
Impact: Difficult travel conditions, reduced visibility, and possible road closures.
Confidence: Low
Impact: High

While some areas receive heavy rain, northern Ontario will likely see significant snowfall, which could lead to hazardous travel conditions. The heaviest snow is expected in areas north of Lake Superior, but the exact placement of the heaviest bands will depend on the storm’s final track.

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Final Thoughts:

There remains significant uncertainty regarding the exact storm track, precipitation types, and total amounts. Future updates may adjust the areas of concern and the severity of the impacts. Residents in flood-prone areas should monitor conditions closely and be prepared for potential flooding. Those in Northeastern Ontario should prepare for heavy snowfall and difficult travel conditions. Stay tuned for further updates as more details become available.

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Disclaimer: These forecasts are issued by Environment Canada and typically published via their Twitter/X accounts. We receive these forecast via a daily email and often publish them for our communities to see.

Southern Ontario: School Bus Cancellations for Friday, February 28, 2025

**Please refresh your page every few minutes to receive the latest update**

Cancellation & Closure Map (English Public and Catholic Schools)

Please note: School board boundaries are a rough estimate. Don’t use this map to determine what school board or weather zone you live in as accuracy isn’t guaranteed.

• Green = No Cancellations

• Red = Cancellations (Click for More Details)

• Purple = School Closures (Click for More Details)

List of Cancellations & Closures

English Public and Catholic Schools

• Kawartha Pine Ridge Public & Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic: All busses are cancelled.

• Near North Public & Nipissing-Parry Sound CathoIic: All busses are cancelled.

• Rainbow Public & Sudbury Catholic: All busses are cancelled.

• Tri-Board: Transportation is cancelled in the North Hastings weather zone today.

French Schools

• Conseil catholique MonAvenir: Busses are cancelled in the Peterborough Region

• Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO): All busses are cancelled.

• Le Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) & Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord: All busses are cancelled.