Photo from theweathernetwork.com 
Photo from theweathernetwork.com
ONTARIO — Snow in the north, torrential rains in the south and widespread, potentially damaging winds are all in the hopper for Halloween.
The timing of this next potent system in Ontario couldn’t get any worse for trick-or-treaters as heavy rain, strong winds and even snow threaten to make for an especially spooky Halloween night. Rain already began Wednesday and though some may experience a break or two, today will be a widespread soaker for many in the south, while the north will see significant snow. More on the timing of this system and how parts of the north will be trading umbrellas for snow shovels, below.
Trick-or-treaters hoping for a mild and dry Halloween night are largely out of luck, with the first raindrops already falling for some last night, with more widespread showers today. A moisture-laden system gradually entering the region from the Mississippi Valley is the culprit, and its impacts are expected to last right through to tomorrow.
“The rain will be heavy at times with rumbles of thunder possible during Thursday afternoon and early evening as totals reach 30 to 60 mm across our region,” says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. While a break from the rain is expected later this evening, at this point it looks like the break will come after trick-or-treat times. Temperatures will be a bit on the chilly side as well.
With the ground still moist from last weekend’s heavy flooding rain, this latest soggy blast could result in more localized flooding. Lake levels are also much higher than normal for this time of year with strong winds and high waves threatening shoreline flooding in some local communities.
As the bulk of the rain winds down through early tomorrow, some wrap around showers are possible, along with a wet snow. Little to no accumulation is expected across much of the south, except for areas north and west of the GTA, along with the Dundalk Highlands and the Georgian Bay shores.
It will be a very different story in more northern areas, where more intense snowfall is expected for Halloween.
“Major impacts on travel are likely along the Trans-Canada Highway with snow totals of 10 to 20 cm, likely combined with extensive blowing and drifting snow,” Gillham warns. Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings across the Sudbury and North Bay regions, urging drivers to consider postponing non-essential travel as the storm blows through.
As the rain and snow gradually taper through tomorrow, wind gusts between 60 to 90 km per hour are possible as a strong cold front cuts through southern Ontario. The strongest winds are expected late today and into tomorrow, with gusts possibly reaching as high as 100 km per hour for the Niagara region and shoreline areas in eastern parts of the province, including Prince Edward County by tomorrow afternoon.
Colder than average temperatures will lock in for at least the first week of November, with a threat for more lake-effect snow once again in the traditional snow belts.
