Transformation to winter wonderland

An early season snowfall to much of southern and eastern Ontario earlier today, turning a previously green landscape into a white winter wonderland

The International Bridge, which spans the St. Marys River between Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., is seen at sunset, Dec. 5, 2016. Environment Canada reports Sault, Ont. received 22 cm of snow since yesterday. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

WEATHER SUMMARY

*************************
Weather summary for Ontario and the national capital region. Updated by Environment Canada at 5:28 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.

Discussion

A large disturbance tracking northeastward across the Great Lakes brought an early season snowfall to much of southern and eastern Ontario earlier today, turning a previously green landscape into a white winter wonderland. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm were common in many areas, with amounts reduced to a trace of slush near lakes Erie and Ontario where most of the precipitation fell as a cold December rain.

The highest snowfall amounts were observed in a swath from the Dundalk Highlands across Simcoe County into parts of eastern Ontario and also at Sault Ste. Marie and Marathon, where temperatures remained below freezing for the entire event.

Many thanks to all volunteer reports from cocorahs, email and social media.

Snowfall amounts received by Environment Canada as of 5 p.m. are found in the table below.

Location and snowfall amount in centimetres

Wiarton 14

Durham (volunteer) 10

Mount Forest (estimated) 10

Markdale (volunteer) 8

Milverton (volunteer) 6

Kitchener Stanley Park (meterologist) 8

Waterloo Airport 6

Guelph (volunteer) 5

Fergus (volunteer) 10