Canada Ontario: Record January-like cold descends, high risk for dangerous squalls

The worst of the system snow that brought a full-fledged winter storm to much of southern Ontario is over, but some travel headaches remain across the traditional snowbelt regions. Intense and dangerous lake-effect streamers will also persist for those near the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay as the blast of cold arctic air flows over the relatively warm, open waters. More on where non-essential travel is discouraged, plus a look at these record shattering cold temperatures that send us right into the heart of January, below.

The temperature is going all the way down to -10 C later this week

It was a nice summer, wasn’t it? There were some spectacular stretches of warm weather and bright, sunny skies. And autumn wasn’t too bad either with a few gorgeous weekends and absolutely wonderful colours. Hold on to those memories. Let those keep you warm. It’s about to get cold. There were some spectacular stretches of warm weather and bright, sunny skies.

A line of potentially dangerous snow squalls will push through between 3 and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Snow squalls are similar to summertime thunderstorms. They are brief, but many times they’re intense and can cause visibility to drop to near zero within seconds.

Risk is the potential for uncontrolled loss of something of value. Values (such as physical health, social status, emotional well-being, or financial wealth)

Severe weather warnings: Stay up-to-date, HERE

Time to prepare for the season ahead! The Weather Network's Winter Forecast launches Monday, November 18.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Snow squalls off Lake Huron will impact the Sarnia and London areas through Tuesday afternoon
• Another band will develop off of Georgian Bay Tuesday afternoon with heavy snow continuing into Wednesday morning
• Temperatures plummet to the minus teens Tuesday night, shattering previous low record temperatures for the region
• Additional snow flurries expected across the northern half of the Golden Horseshoe Wednesday night
• Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area

WATCH BELOW: TIMING THE SNOW SQUALLS THROUGH WEDNESDAY

The system that brought a widespread 10-20+ cm of snow across southern Ontario has continued to move eastward, but not without making a mess of several roads and major highways throughout the region first. The treacherous travel continued well into the overnight and according to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, officers responded to more than 400 crashes over a 24 hour time frame.

It's About To Feel Below Freezing All Across The GTA As Winter Settles In

It's About To Feel Below Freezing All Across The GTA As Winter Settles InGet ready to bundle up this week because real-feel temperatures are about to plummet into the negative. Wind gusts, rain, and snow all call for staying indoors, or at least wrapping up well when you do go out.

STORM TIMING. Ontario : Scattered flurries will spread across southern Ontario , including the Intense snow squalls will continue into Tuesday as a blast of northerly arctic air flows over the Temperatures will recover somewhat Thursday and into Friday, -- though still colder than seasonal

Numerous multi-vehicle accidents ensued in the northeastern United States as dangerous snow squalls marked the arrival of brutal cold on Wednesday. Snow squalls preceded the rush of Arctic air into the region, contributing to accidents on Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.

Emergency crews & tow trucks responded to dozens of crashes across the GTA overnight, and the morning commute may be just as bad. Most of the collisions were single vehicles into the ditch or guardrail. Many drivers seemed unprepared for winter conditions. #onstorm

Jeremy Cohn on Twitter

While the snow had tapered by the pre-dawn hours on Tuesday, officials were still warning drivers to leave plenty of extra time to deal with this early season wintry mess. Especially after some areas, including the city of Toronto, broke new daily snowfall records with Monday's heavy blast. Nearly 14 cm of snow was reported at Toronto's Pearson Airport, making it the largest amount of snowfall for the city this early in the season -- on or prior to November 11.

© Provided by Pelmorex Media Inc.

"Please slow down and avoid the ditch. Just because you have all wheel drive and snow tires...you are still vulnerable if you are driving beyond your limits," Sgt. Schmidt tweeted Tuesday morning.

How the Great Lakes contribute to dangerous wintry weather

Heads up, southern Ontario! Warm lakes and cold air are a potent mix for lake effect snow!Embedded content: https://players.brightcove.net/1942203455001/B1CSR9sVf_default/index.

"On Tuesday morning, southern Ontario experienced some of the coldest temperatures in decades Both Kitchener and London set an all-time record for the dangerous cold and while Windsor came Snow squall and blizzard warnings. Frequent intense snow squalls off of Lake Huron and

In addition to record cold , this will set the stage for a relatively short, but high impact round of lake-effect snow. Our primary concern during this time is that roads will become very icy in areas impacted by the snow squalls . Initially the snow will melt on the roads, but as the temperature plunges well

The last of the lingering flakes in eastern Ontario early Tuesday were also enough to pull school buses from the roads, with close to 15 cm reported in the Ottawa area.

RECORD BREAKING COLD TEMPERATURES

It's not just the snow that the region has to deal with as Tuesday morning's frigid low temperatures are more reminiscent of the middle of January.

"Temperatures will also reach the minus teens Tuesday night, shattering the low temperature records with a wind chill near -20," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham, adding that some scattered flurries are possible across the Golden Horseshoe on Tuesday.

© Provided by Pelmorex Media Inc. OntariosouthWednesdayAMWindChills

Aside from making temperatures feel even colder, Tuesday's gusty northwest winds will once again fire up the lake-effect snow machine on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

HIGH RISK FOR DANGEROUS SNOW SQUALLS

The cold winds blowing over the still relatively warm lakes will make for intense snow squalls for the traditional snowbelt areas through Wednesday.

Major storm hitting Ontario, Quebec is 'not your typical November snowfall'

Several school buses already pulled from the roads as a potentially historic snowstorm unfolds in southern Ontario and Quebec"This is not your typical November snowfall, which usually melts quickly, as Tuesday and Wednesday will look and feel like January with record cold temperatures expected," warns Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.

"Snow squalls were developing off of Lake Huron around the London/Woodstock area this morning," said Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton. Extreme cold alerts are in effect for much of the region, including the Greater Toronto Area where it could be a record -breaking cold day on Sunday.

Dangerous snow squalls cause whiteout conditions in southern Ontario , more on the way. Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 5:56 PM - Bands of heavy snow impacting southern Ontario will continue into Thursday, creating messy road conditions and reduced visibility.

"The snow squalls off Lake Huron will impact the Sarnia, Strathroy and London areas through Tuesday, with another band developing off Georgian Bay and impacting Highway 400 later in the day," says meteorologist Kevin MacKay.

Between 20-30 cm of snow is possible near the shores of Lake Huron with 15-20 cm likely for the Georgian Bay region. Local squalls will taper off when the winds shift to the southwest on Wednesday.

© Provided by Pelmorex Media Inc. ONSnowSqualls

"Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather," warns Environment Canada in the snow squall watches and warnings issued. "Road closures are possible."

SOME ADDITIONAL SNOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT, FRIGID AIR RELAXES BRIEFLY

A period of light snow, courtesy of a weak clipper, is likely Wednesday night with a few additional centimetres of snow expected into Thursday morning for the GTA. A widespread 2-5 cm is forecast away from Lake Ontario and for much of eastern Ontario, with between 5-10 cm expected for areas east of Georgian Bay.

Temperatures will recover somewhat Thursday and into Friday -- though still colder than seasonal -- but with another quick blast of arctic air arriving late Friday night.

"Friday night will be quite cold and temperatures will remain below freezing through the day on Saturday despite abundant sunshine," Gillham adds.

Over 400 Car Crashes Were Reported In Ontario During Last Night's Snow Storm

There are 24 ongoing collisions right now.“We’ve investigated at least 400 crashes in the last 24 hours. There are 24 crashes on the go as we speak, and that does not include all the vehicles which have spun out and lost control on their own.

Snow squall warnings are in effect for parts of the southwest. This dangerous cold coupled with heavy snowfall will create life-threatening conditions for stranded drivers on some of southern Ontario ’s biggest travel corridors. You May Also Like .

Ontario : Record -breaking cold likely over the next 24 hrs, core temperature values of -40oC possible for some locations in the north, approaching -30oC in the south by Monday morning, made worse with the wind chill. Blowing snow and squalls in the Niagara and Huron regions will ease Sunday, winds

WATCH BELOW: SUPER-PREPARED REPORTER AND HER MUST-HAVE WINTER CAR EMERGENCY ITEMS