Parts of Ontario, Quebec, and certain areas in the Maritimes are bracing for heavy snowfall in the coming days, with anticipated amounts ranging from 10 to 60 cm. Northern Ontario is under a winter storm warning starting Wednesday, with up to 60 cm of snow projected in some regions.
The storm has already caused disruptions in northern Ontario, with snowfall reported across various areas and some routes closed. The poor visibility on roads, attributed to wet and dense snow, led to the closure of rural schools and canceled buses in Thunder Bay on Wednesday. The Ontario Provincial Police have announced multiple highway closures in northern Ontario, advising drivers to avoid non-essential travel.
Peak snowfall rates of four centimeters per hour are expected, with potential near-zero visibility due to heavy snow and blowing winds. Wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are forecasted to accompany the snow, increasing travel hazards and the possibility of road closures.
The winter storm warning spans from Lake la Croix through the northern shore of Lake Superior, extending north to Moosonee and James Bay before heading east into Quebec and the vicinity of Lake Mistassini. In Quebec, a special weather statement is in effect for areas like Manic, Baie-Trinité, Sept-Îles-Port-Cartier, and Labrieville, warning of up to 15 cm of snow from Wednesday night into Thursday evening.
Environment and Climate Change Canada unveiled a new color-coded alert system during a press conference, categorizing warnings based on severity and duration. Yellow alerts indicate moderate, localized, or short-term impacts, while orange flags major, widespread, or longer-lasting weather events. Red signals extensive, prolonged impacts.
In southern Ontario, the weather system is expected to bring snow and high winds from Windsor to Kingston, with gusts up to 90 km/h along Lake Erie and northeastern Lake Ontario shores. Lake effect snow is forecasted for several counties, with a snow squall watch in place for potential accumulations of up to 30-50 cm in some areas.
Residents are advised to take extra precautions due to the strong winds, potential utility outages, and travel disruptions. Drivers are urged to maintain safe distances and allow extra travel time amid the challenging weather conditions.