Weather Discussion or Friday March 4th 2011

A very tricky weekend forecast is in store for Southern Ontario as a moisture laden system approaches the great lakes region. Temperatures will be mild enough around the lower lakes for an all rain event at the start, however north of the GTA temps may be just cold enough for snow to mix in or just plain snow.
Some areas around the Bruce Peninsula and north of Parry Sound have Winter Storm Watches issued.

Temperatures around the lower lakes should make it a few degrees above zero today and into the mid-single digits for Saturday. For areas north of the GTA, rain may change to some snow during the afternoon as colder air begins to move in.

Sunday appears to be the day for the most snow around  the region. Tricky to get accumulations from this, but looking at the current computer models, it appears that most areas from Windsor to the Golden Horseshoe could get 4-8cm with the lesser amounts towards the Windsor area of Southwestern Ontario.

Normal temperatures are on the rise now and it becomes increasingly difficult for snow in the southern areas of the province. With the higher sun angle, snow doesn't last long either on the roads.
Speaking of snow... here is a really cool high resolution sat image from MODIS showing the snow cover around the Great Lakes and over eastern Canada and the US. Note the ice cover on the lakes and the "snow-hole" around the GTA.

The warmest temperature in Southern Ontario for yesterday was:

Collingwood -2°C  @4pm

 

Regional Stats from Environment Canada:

• Toronto               -2.5 / -12.5
• Hamilton            -4.0 / -13.5
• London               -4.6 / -14.8
• Windsor              -2.5 / -8.5
• Sarnia                 -3.9 / -13.9
• Peterborough     -4.1 / -18.5
• Muskoka            -5.0 / -27.2 

 Computer Model Temperature Anomoly for Southern Ontario over the next 10 days.

0.5 degrees above normal