‘Bitterly cold wind chills’: Frigid temperatures, snow expected in London

Bitterly cold temperatures and snow are expected in London over the coming days. CTV's Julie Atchison breaks down what you need to know.

From rain to frigid wind chills and snowfall, the Forest City is going to have a busy week of weather as January returns with a vengeance.

According to CTV News London Meteorologist Julie Atchison, a low-pressure system will move into the region on Tuesday, bringing along milder temperatures.

Atchison says a “fairly solid deck of cloud cover” is in place over the region, leading to a gray afternoon and a rain-snow mix. Tuesday’s daytime high will peak at 3 C, with winds of 40 km/h and gusts of up to 60 km/h.

Up towards the Bruce Peninsula light snow has begun to fall, but Atchison says it will becoming more substantial over the coming hours across Bruce and Grey counties. In London, periods of rain or snow will begin later in the afternoon, with possible mixing.

The overnight low will dip down to 1 C, with wind gusts of 50 km/h expected. Cloudy skies will persist with a 60 per cent chance of light snow or drizzle ending before morning.

“Now a pair of cold fronts will be coming into southern Ontario and with it bitterly cold air arrives,” Atchison said. “So, we’ll get a blast of cold air coming in tomorrow afternoon.”

Temperatures plummet Wednesday, with a daytime high of – 5 C in the afternoon, feeling like – 15 with the wind chill. There will be local blowing snow, with total snowfall accumulations of between two to four centimetres.

Atchison says things continue to get colder Wednesday night into Thursday, with an overnight low of – 11 C expected on Wednesday night. Snow squalls or flurries will be in store for the region on Thursday, with the daytime high only cracking – 10 C.

“This one could align itself through western Middlesex County and Lambton County. So, keeping a close eye on that, which will lead to whiteout conditions along the 402 heading through the weekend,” Atchison said.

Here’s a look at London’s long-range forecast

Tuesday: Cloudy. Periods of rain or snow beginning this afternoon. Wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60. High plus 3. UV index 1 or low.

Tuesday night: Periods of rain ending before morning then cloudy with 60 percent chance of light snow or drizzle. Rain or periods of snow early this evening. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light before morning. Low plus 1.

Wednesday: Flurries. Periods of drizzle early in the morning. Local blowing snow in the afternoon. Local snowfall amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature falling to minus 5 in the afternoon. Wind chill minus 15 in the afternoon.

Thursday: Flurries or snow squalls. High minus 10.

Friday: Periods of snow. High minus 2.

Saturday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. High minus 2.

Sunday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 5.

Monday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. High minus 6.