Ancaster 'hardest-hit' in southern Ontario as 40 cm of snow fell over the weekend

Ancaster saw the worst of the heavy snowfall that blanketed southern Ontario over the weekend, with 40 cm piling up by Sunday evening.

The dump of snow more than doubled the 15 cm measured at the Hamilton airportand nearby Mississauga which saw10cm.

"Itwas the hardest-hit area in southern Ontario," said Environment Canada meteorologistMarie-Eve Giguere.

That's because of a "perfect" storm that saw easterly and northeasterly winds whip across Lake Ontario before running into the escarpment.

"It's a really long ride picking up all this moisture from a lake that's not frozen and then, as it hits the escarpment it enhances the snowfall," explained Giguere."That's why we have this amount that seems to stick out."

The 40 cm snowfall was measured by both aweather network team and Environment Canada volunteers, she added.

Here's how much snow was measured by Environment Canada and volunteers at othersites across Ontario.

• Windsor North 16 cm
• Grimsby 22 cm
• St. Catharines Airport 18 cm
• CFB Trenton 15 cm
• Kingston 24 cm
• Ottawa Airport 27 cm
• Cornwall 28 cm

The forecast offers mixed news for anyone hoping for warmer weather.

Giguere said the col air is expected to make for a "crisp, cold" commute Tuesday with a temperature of20 C.

More mild air will move into the region throughout the day and the meteorologist said the afternoon could feel "almost exotic" by comparison. But don't get too excited, with the wind chill it will still feel like10 or 15.

Winter is coming right back for the end of the week.- Marie-Eve Giguere, Environment Canada

Wednesday will offer "brief relief" but it will bring problems of its own, said Giguere, including a "cocktail" of precipitation.

"We're looking at some snow, then changing to rain, so probably mixed precipitation on Wednesday for the morning commute," she said.

"It will come with a more mild temperature for those who like it but winter is coming right back for the end of the week."