Hazardous travel expected as clipper system brings another round of snow to Ontario, Canada
A clipper system moving through Ontario on February 28, 2025, is expected to bring heavy snowfall, with accumulations of up to 15 cm (5.9 inches) in some regions. The system will primarily affect northern and eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, where snowfall will impact the evening commute.
Image credit: NOAA/GOES-19, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers. Acquired at 13:40 UTC on February 28, 2025
A fast-moving clipper system from the eastern Prairies is set to bring widespread snowfall to Ontario on February 28. Northwestern Ontario, including Thunder Bay, is expected to see approximately 15 cm (5.9 inches) of snow early Friday morning. Snow will then spread into northeastern Ontario and parts of cottage country by the afternoon, impacting travel in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding areas.
Southern Ontario will see the system arrive late in the afternoon, with snow primarily affecting highways 400 and 401 east of Toronto. While the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) may see some flurries, the bulk of the snowfall will remain north and east of the city. Most of southern Ontario will receive rain rather than significant snowfall.
By Friday evening, eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, will experience periods of heavy snowfall, making for hazardous travel conditions during the evening commute. Snow is expected to continue overnight into Saturday, with 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 inches) of accumulation possible in the Ottawa region.
The snowfall will be accompanied by strong winds, with gusts reaching 50–70 km/h (30–45 mph) in southern Ontario and exceeding 40 km/h (25 mph) in snow-affected areas. These winds will contribute to reduced visibility, particularly during periods of heavy snow.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued widespread snowfall warnings for northern and eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, on Friday morning. The agency warned that “visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow” and that roads, walkways, and parking lots could become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
Snow flurries are expected to continue through Saturday as temperatures drop below freezing, marking the beginning of March with winter-like conditions. Winds off Lake Huron could bring an additional 5-10 cm (2-3.9 inches) of lake-effect snow to the London area and the snowbelt regions.
Meanwhile, Toronto recorded its snowiest February on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2008. Despite the transition into March, more snowfall is expected in the coming days as Ontario experiences a fluctuating pattern between winter and early spring conditions.
References:
1 February in Ontario will end as it began: Messy and snowy – The Weather Network – February 28, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.