Winter storm watch issued for:
Barrie – Orillia – Midland,
Current details:
Major winter storm expected Thursday night into Saturday.
Hazards:
Wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h creating widespread blowing snow which will significantly reduce visibility.
Snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm by early Saturday morning.
Significant lake effect snow possible Saturday into Sunday.
Flash freeze producing icy and slippery surfaces.
Timing:
Damaging winds developing Friday morning and continuing into Saturday.
Snow and blowing snow developing Friday morning and continuing into Saturday.
Flash freeze possible Friday morning.
Discussion:
Precipitation is expected to begin as snow or rain Thursday evening. Temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday morning leading to a potential flash freeze. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by damaging winds along with snow heavy at times. Extensive blowing snow will develop Friday morning. Very cold wind chills are expected to develop on Friday and persist into the weekend.
Impacts:
Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
Avoid travel if possible. 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.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.