Ontario witnessed a rare phenomenon during last night’s winter storm, with heavy snow and high winds, along with lightning and thunder.
Southern Ontario received up to 30 cm of snow within 16 hours, causing power outages and unsafe driving conditions.
A rare phenomenon in which air masses become unstable and violent, a thunderstorm lit up the night sky.
Residents were urged to stay at their doors and not move due to little visibility.
Cars drive through a snowstorm in Toronto on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
A senior climate scientist at Environment Canada said on Saturday that “almost half the amount of snow in winter” has fallen in the past 10 days.
“Since February 22nd, we’ve had about 50 centimeters of snow,” says Dave Phillips.
A man shovels snow after a severe winter storm that brought heavy snow, high winds, and even thunder and lightning to Toronto, Ontario, Southern Ontario, Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tammy Hoy
Meanwhile, the city of Toronto declared a “severe snowstorm condition” on Saturday and said on Monday that drivers would not be allowed to park on certain roads for snow removal.
Workers clear snow from Toronto City Hall during a snowstorm in Toronto on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for much of southern Ontario.Canadian Press/Erlyn McDory
Residents spent much of Saturday morning digging out their cars.
People clear snow with a snowplow in the Sandy Hills neighborhood of Ottawa on Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
The gust finally subsided around mid-morning on Saturday. However, Environment Canada says this may not be the state’s last snowfall.
Ossington Avenue seen after a snowstorm in Toronto on Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
There’s a 40% chance of winds on Sunday, even though temperatures hit a high of 7 degrees.
