Key Takeaways
- A system moving through midweek brings colder air, transforming rain into snow and causing potentially hazardous driving conditions on Thursday
- The Sault area experiences a brief warm-up on Monday with temperatures reaching 8°C, but colder air arrives by Wednesday
- Snowfall totals of 15-30 cm are expected in northwest and north-northwest snowbelts, with the heaviest snowfall occurring Wednesday night through Thursday night
- Gusty winds of 55-75 km/h and heavy snowfall rates will lead to low visibility, blowing and drifting snow, and hazardous driving conditions
- Daytime highs will drop to -3°C on Thursday and -6°C on Friday as snowsquall activity ends and sunshine returns
Introduction to the Weather Pattern
A system moves through midweek, ushering in much colder air that transforms rain into snow and brings snowsqualls and potentially hazardous driving conditions on Thursday. The Sault area enjoys a brief warm-up on Monday as southwesterly winds push temperatures into the upper single digits Celsius, well above normal for late November. This warm-up is short-lived, however, as a system moves through midweek, bringing much colder air and a significant change in weather conditions.
Monday’s Weather
Monday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with rain developing late in the day as temperatures reach 8°C. Breezy southwest winds will usher in warmer-than-normal temperatures for late November. Heading into the late afternoon, a band of showers develops from southwest to northeast, generally slowly drifting northward into Tuesday. Just a few millimeters of rain is expected overnight as lows near 4°C. This mild and wet weather is a precursor to the colder and snowier conditions that will follow in the coming days.
Tuesday’s Forecast
Tuesday brings mostly cloudy skies, 5-10mm of rain, and temperatures reaching 7°C. Showers continue to move northward through the day, with a surface low-pressure system and associated cold front bringing much colder air into the region Tuesday night into Wednesday. Meanwhile, rain on Tuesday night into early Wednesday transitions to a mix of rain and snow, then to snow later on Wednesday as the colder air filters in behind the westerly winds. This transition marks the beginning of a significant change in weather conditions, as the region prepares for colder and snowier weather.
Wednesday’s Snowfall
Wednesday brings rain transitioning to snow, with temperatures reaching 6°C before falling throughout the day. The lake-effect snow machine begins to kick in as early as Wednesday afternoon, as winds shift westerly, eventually becoming more northwesterly into Thursday. This sets the stage for significant snowfall totals, particularly in the northwest and north-northwest snowbelts, where 15-30 cm of snowfall is expected. The heaviest snowfall will occur Wednesday night through Thursday night, with gusty winds and heavy snowfall rates leading to hazardous driving conditions.
Thursday’s Hazardous Conditions
There is a risk of hazardous to dangerous driving conditions on Thursday, as the combination of strong gusty winds and heavy snowfall rates brings periods of very low to near-zero visibility, blowing and drifting snow. Gusty winds of 55-75 km/h are anticipated on Wednesday and continuing through Thursday, making travel extremely difficult. Daytime highs will only reach -3°C on Thursday, and temperatures will continue to fall, reaching near -6°C on Friday as the snowsquall activity ends and we see a chance of sunshine. The hazardous conditions on Thursday will require caution and careful planning for anyone traveling or venturing outdoors.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, the Sault area can expect a significant change in weather conditions midweek, as a system brings colder air, snow, and potentially hazardous driving conditions. The brief warm-up on Monday will be followed by a transition to colder and snowier weather, with significant snowfall totals expected in the northwest and north-northwest snowbelts. Gusty winds and heavy snowfall rates will lead to hazardous driving conditions on Thursday, making it essential to stay informed and plan accordingly. As the snowsquall activity ends and sunshine returns, temperatures will continue to fall, marking the beginning of a colder and potentially snowier period.
