Travel not recommended due to heavy snow in Ontario

A strong winter storm is hitting parts of northern Ontario, bringing 20 to 40 centimeters of snow. The storm is making travel dangerous, and officials are warning people to avoid non-essential travel until conditions improve. Winter storm warnings and weather advisories are in place across northern Ontario. The heaviest snow is expected in areas east and northeast of Lake Superior, extending toward the Quebec border. This will create hazardous driving conditions and possible road closures into Thursday. The storm is caused by a Colorado low bringing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Cold air over northern Ontario is clashing with this moisture, resulting in heavy snowfall and strong winds. Snow started falling on Wednesday and picked up in intensity, with rates of 3 to 5 centimeters per hour expected. Winds are forecasted to reach 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, making visibility very low on the roads. Areas like Wawa, Chapleau, Timmins, and Kapuskasing are predicted to receive the most snow. In contrast, Sault Ste. Marie will experience a mix of rain and snow, leading to slippery conditions. Southern and eastern Ontario are enjoying much warmer weather, with some areas reaching temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius. However, a cold front is expected to bring rain and colder temperatures in the days to come. Overall, Ontario is experiencing an unpredictable weather pattern as winter lingers in some areas while spring-like conditions prevail in others.