If you haven't already, today would be a good day to get out your shovel and windshield snow scraper as we are expecting heavy snow over the weekend.
A winter weather travel advisory is in effect for this evening through Saturday evening with local snowfall accumulations of 20 to 40 cm by Saturday night.
Visibilities may be reduced to near zero in heavy snow and local blowing snow.
The heavy flurries and snow squalls are a result of southwesterly winds off Lake Huron.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Slow down driving in slippery conditions. Watch for taillights ahead and maintain a safe following distance.
Environment Canada has issued a Snow squall watch for:
North Bay - West Nipissing, for:
- North Bay - Powassan - Mattawa
- West Nipissing - French River
It will get worse if you are travelling south, with significant lake-effect snow squalls developing this evening and continuing into Saturday night.
A snow squall watch is in effect for:
- Bayfield Inlet - Dunchurch
- South River - Burk's Falls
- Huntsville - Baysville
- Town of Parry Sound - Rosseau - Killbear Park
- Bracebridge - Gravenhurst
- Port Carling - Port Severn
Local snowfall accumulations of 30 to 60 cm are expected by early Sunday morning. Visibilities may be reduced to near zero in heavy snow and local blowing snow.
Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
For road conditions and other traveller information from the Ministry of Transportation, visit https://www.ontario.ca/511, https://www.twitter.com/511Ontario, or call 5-1-1.
