A series of three winter storms moved across Canada this week, dumping heavy snow on the Prairies and Newfoundland while coating parts of southern Ontario in freezing rain. The Weather Network
A powerful series of three winter storms swept across Canada this week, creating dangerous travel conditions and widespread disruptions from the Prairies to the Atlantic coast.
The storms brought heavy snow, freezing rain, and strong winds, affecting millions of Canadians in several provinces.
Prairies Hit by Snow and Strong Winds
Winter returned forcefully to the Prairies, where blowing snow reduced visibility and made roads difficult to navigate. Many school divisions cancelled buses and closed schools as snow piled up across parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
A clash between Arctic air and moisture from the Pacific led to intense snowfall and falling temperatures. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued snowfall warnings and blowing snow advisories across much of the region.
Forecasters closely monitored parts of central Alberta for possible blizzard conditions as heavy snow combined with gusty winds.
Drivers faced slippery highways and limited visibility, with snow quickly covering major roadways.
Freezing Rain and Flood Risk in Ontario
Further east, southern Ontario experienced a messy mix of winter weather. Warmer air brought steady rainfall south of the Greater Toronto Area, which began melting existing snow. That runoff increased the risk of localized flooding in some communities.
Meanwhile, the GTA and areas along the Highway 401 corridor faced a prolonged freezing rain event. Meteorologists forecast between five and more than 15 millimetres of ice accumulation.
The icy conditions led many school boards to cancel bus services. In one incident near Woodstock, Ont., a school bus slid off the road, sending four students to hospital with minor injuries.
Ontario Provincial Police responded to approximately 160 collisions across the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area by Wednesday afternoon, highlighting the impact of the freezing rain.
North of the GTA, communities east of Georgian Bay prepared for 15 to 25 centimetres of fresh snowfall.
Heavy Snow in Eastern Newfoundland
On the East Coast, eastern Newfoundland braced for intense snowfall and strong winds. Snow fell at rates of three to five centimetres per hour, while wind speeds reached between 60 and 80 kilometres per hour.
These conditions created near-blizzard situations with very low visibility. Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the heaviest snowfall.
By Wednesday morning, St. John’s had already recorded 24 centimetres of snow as the storm moved across the Avalon Peninsula.
The heavy snow and strong winds caused widespread power outages and closures in affected areas.
A Week of Weather Challenges
The trio of storms shows how quickly winter weather can shift across Canada. From whiteout conditions in the Prairies to icy highways in Ontario and heavy snowfall in Newfoundland, the system created different challenges in each region.
Authorities continue to advise caution as cleanup efforts move forward and temperatures fluctuate.
