Ontario experienced a rare phenomenon during last night’s winter storm, with residents witnessing lightning and thunder along with heavy snow and high winds.

Up to 30 centimetres of snow fell on southern Ontario in under 16 hours, resulting in power outages and dangerous driving conditions.

The thundersnow, a rare event in which an air mass becomes so unstable that it turns violent, lit up the night sky.

Residents were urged to remain in doors and not travel as visibility was next to none.

Cars drive during a snow storm in Toronto on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

A senior climatologist for Environment Canada said Saturday that “almost a half a winter’s worth of snow” has dropped in the last 10 days.

“Since Feb. 22 we’ve had about 50 centimeters of snow,” Dave Phillips said.

A man shovels snow after a fierce winter storm brought heavy snow, strong winds and even thunder and lightning to most of southern Ontario, Toronto, Ont., Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tammy Hoy

The City of Toronto, meanwhile, declared a “major snowstorm condition” on Saturday, saying that on Monday drivers won’t be allowed to park on certain streets to allow for snow removal.

Workers clear snow from Toronto City Hall during a snow storm in Toronto, Saturday, March 4, 2023. Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for much of southern Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Residents spent much of Saturday morning digging their vehicles out.

A person uses a snowblower to clear snow in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood of Ottawa, Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

The flurries finally tapered off as mid-Saturday morning. However, Environment Canada says this may not be the last snowfall for the province.

Ossington Avenue is seen after a snow storm in Toronto, Saturday, March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

There is a 40 per cent chance of flurries on Sunday, despite temperatures reaching a high of 7 C.