Unfortunately, this does not appear to be an April Fool's joke.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement suggesting an early spring storm may be on the way with strong winds, rain and then the potential for significant snow over the next few days.
Precipitation is expected to begin as rain transitioning to snow Wednesday afternoon for much of central Ontario.
You can read more in the release from Environment Canada:
Special weather statement issued for:
Newmarket - Georgina - Northern York Region
Vaughan - Richmond Hill - Markham
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Owen Sound - Blue Mountains - Northern Grey County
Mount Forest - Arthur - Northern Wellington County
Guelph - Erin - Southern Wellington County
Innisfil - New Tecumseth - Angus
Halton Hills - Milton
Current details:
Early spring storm expected to bring strong winds, rain and the potential for significant snow Tuesday through Thursday.
Discussion:
A Colorado low is expected to begin affecting the region Tuesday. Precipitation is expected to begin as rain transitioning to snow Wednesday afternoon across the higher terrain along the Niagara Escarpment northwest of the GTA. The transition to snow across the remainder of the area will occur Wednesday night. The higher terrain through the Oak Ridges Moraine and along the Niagara Escarpment northwest of the GTA is expected to have the highest probability for significant snowfall accumulation.
Strong easterly winds will develop Tuesday night with wind gusts up to 70 km/h, possibly up to 80 km/h for the regions along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The winds will ease on Wednesday.
Impacts:
Power outages will be possible. Travel may become hazardous due to accumulating snow and reduced visibility.
Confidence is low as there remains a high degree of uncertainty with the low's track, which will have significant impacts on temperatures, snowfall amounts as well as if and when rain will transition to snow.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
