Winter storm watch

As 5:09 AM EST Sunday 2 March 2008, Environment Canada issued the following winter storm watch for the North Bay - Powassan - Mattawa area.

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Significant freezing rain possible tonight.

This is an alert to the potential development of dangerous winter weather conditions in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

A low pressure system currently over Nebraska is expected to track east towards Lake Superior by this evening. As this storm system approaches it will push a wide swath of warm moist air across most of southern and northeastern Ontario today. The cold snow covered ground will at first impede temperatures from warming above the freezing mark during the day. As the storm moves closer to Ontario temperatures are expected to rise above freezing by Monday morning.

At this time it appears that this storm has the potential to bring significant freezing rain and ice pellets across most of northeastern Ontario and the Nickel Belt before temperatures warm up to above freezing. The freezing rain and ice pellets are expected to start this evening in regions adjacent to eastern Lake Superior and northern Lake Huron and continue for several hours before changing to rain. Additional freezing rain warnings may be required as the band of mixed precipitation moves east towards Timmins and the Nickel Belt area overnight.

This storm has the potential to bring several hours of significant freezing rain..This is an alert that very slippery conditions may form as a result.

Environment Canada will continue to monitor this situation closely.

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Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions.

Watch for updated statements.

Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details and continue to monitor the situation through your local radio and television stations or Weatheradio.

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Significant freezing rain possible Sunday night.

This is an alert to the potential development of dangerous winter weather conditions in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

A low pressure system which has just developed over Montana in the United States is expected to move east towards Lake Superior by Sunday evening. As this storm system approaches it will bring a wide swath of warm moist air across most of southern and northeastern Ontario on Sunday. The cold snow covered ground will at first impede temperatures from warming up to above freezing during the day on Sunday but as the storm moves closer to Ontario temperatures are expected to rise to above freezing by Monday morning.

At this time it appears that this storm has the potential to bring significant freezing rain and ice pellets across most of northeastern Ontario before temperatures warm up to above freezing. The ice pellets and freezing rain are expected to start around Sunday evening over regions located close to eastern Lake Superior. This band of mixed precipitation will then move east towards Timmins and the Nickel Belt area Sunday overnight.

Since this storm has the potential to bring several hours of significant freezing rain...This is an alert that very slippery conditions may form as a result.

The Ontario storm prediction centre will continue to monitor the development of this storm. As the weather situation develops appropriate warnings may be issued.

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