Special weather alerts are currently active for a significant portion of northern Ontario due to a Colorado Low expected to bring approximately 10 to 15 centimeters of snow to the area. Environment and Climate Change Canada has forecasted that snowfall, potentially heavy at times, will commence on Monday night and conclude by Tuesday evening.
There is notable uncertainty regarding the system’s trajectory, with the possibility of a substantial shift in the heaviest snowfall axis should the system’s path change. The impacted regions in the northwest encompass various areas, including Armstrong — Auden — Wabakimi Park, Atikokan — Shebandowan — Quetico Park, and City of Thunder Bay, among others.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, roads and walkways may become challenging to navigate due to snow accumulation, potentially leading to icy and slippery untreated roads. Motorists are advised to allocate extra time for their journeys. Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, mentioned that higher snowfall amounts are anticipated towards the north end of Lake Superior, with lower amounts expected closer to the Minnesota border.
Last month, Thunder Bay recorded approximately 60 centimeters of snow, significantly surpassing the average monthly snowfall of 27 centimeters. Similarly, this month has already seen around 43 centimeters of snow, whereas the typical March snowfall average is just under 27 centimeters. If the current forecast materializes, this March is likely to be the snowiest in Thunder Bay since March 2022 when 67.6 centimeters were recorded.
Moreover, the region is experiencing colder temperatures than usual, expected to persist in the upcoming days. People are encouraged to monitor updates from Environment and Climate Change Canada and can report severe weather incidents by emailing ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or using #ONStorm on social media.