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Boxing Day this year might require some extra planning as meteorologists and weather agencies warn Toronto could see 10 to 15 centimetres of snow.
Ice pellets, rain and freezing rain could impact commute times on Dec. 26, The Weather Network meteorologist Mark Robinson told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning Wednesday.
“It disrupts travel,” he said. “Be prepared if you’re going anywhere, just give yourself lots of extra time.”
Environment Canada predicts freezing rain or snow, with a high of 0 C during the day and a low of -2 C at night on Boxing Day.
Robinson said whether or not the precipitation sticks to the ground will depend on the freeze line.
“These storms are really, really tricky to forecast,” he said.
That’s why there’s some uncertainty on whether the city is in for more or less snow than what’s predicted, Robinson said. He added it depends on where people are travelling to.
“If you’re headed down towards the London area, you are looking at a bit of freezing rain down there, ice pellets between London and Kitchener,” Robinson said. “But then if you go all the way down to Windsor, you might be seeing some rain.”
As for Dec. 25, Robinson said it’s the perfect day to travel, but not the white Christmas some might have been hoping for.
“If you’re in Southern Ontario, look outside. What you see is what you’re going to get pretty much,” he said. “It’s not a bad day to drive.”
Thursday will see a high of 1 C, which may feel like -10 C in the afternoon with wind chill, Environment Canada’s website states. Northern winds of up to 20 km/h are expected throughout the day and gusts of up to 40 km/h are set to hit Toronto in the morning, the weather agency predicts. In the evening, the city will see a low of -2 C.
Robinson said no rain is expected for Dec. 25 but higher temperatures may result in some melting.
“Just cross your fingers that we can hold on to that snow until tomorrow.”
