March Break travel plans threatened with incoming storm for All eyes are on a major winter storm system that will sweep through much of Eastern Canada this weekened, one that could potentially hinder travel plans for those set to head out for March Break. The storm will develop over the southern U.S. and tap into abundant Gulf moisture as it intensifies and tracks northeast between the Appalachians and the U.S. East Coast. There are still a lot of uncertainties as to the exact impacts this will have in southern Ontario and Quebec, but the risk is there for this to be a significant late winter storm for parts of the region. It's important to remember that a slight shift in the track of the low could make a difference in the snowfall amounts for certain areas. More on the timing and forecast details we know so far, below.
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KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON A WEEKEND STORM SYSTEM THAT COULD DETOUR MARCH BREAK TRAVEL PLANS
A major winter storm is on tap for much of Eastern Canada this weekend, a late season system that could impact the start to March Break for some.
An initial system will track south of Ontario on Friday, bringing widespread light flurries across the region. The main system however, will quickly engulf that low bringing the heaviest snowfall amounts into the day on Saturday.
This main low will be tracking well south of the border, even on the east side of the Appalachian Mountains and along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. The system is a bit more complex than usual and changes to the forecast may happen over the coming days as a result.
"The track of the storm is starting to become more clear and the low looks to move east of the Appalachian Mountains versus the west side," says Matt Grinter, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "This track helps to show that the heaviest swath of snow will be more focused in parts of eastern Ontario and across southern Quebec, east of the St. Lawrence River."
According to Grinter, the snow looks to be at its heaviest through the day on Saturday before departing the area by Sunday morning.
Along with the snow, strong winds will develop through Saturday afternoon, creating whiteout conditions and difficult travel through that time.
"What we will have to keep an eye on is a slight shift in the track of the low," Grinter adds. "A slight shift west could bring higher amounts of snow through the Niagara region as well for areas along the St. Lawrence River."
While the heaviest snowfall amounts currently look to avoid much of the Greater Toronto Area, if there is a drastic shift of the low and it tracks west of the Appalachian Mountains, then it'll become a completely different story for snow totals. Be sure to continue to check back for updates on this storm system.
Regardless, blustery and cold conditions will stir up some lake-effect snow in behind the system through Sunday.
The cold pattern then looks to break down much faster than initially expected, with milder weather attempting to surge north into the region through the March Break.
Check back for the latest weather updates across southern Ontario and Quebec.