Mother Nature seems to have winter on her mind even though we officially entered spring with the vernal equinox on March 19.
Environment Canada has issued a snow squall watch for a large swath of central Ontario that could bring total accumulations of from 15 to 30 cm.
The weather agency says conditions are expected to be "favourable" for a brief snow squall Wednesday morning and lake effect snow squalls in the afternoon continuing into Thursday.
You can find more of the wintry details in the following weather advisory:
Issued at 2024-03-19 9:16 p.m. by Environment Canada:
Snow squall watch issued for:
Midland - Coldwater - Orr Lake
Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
Owen Sound - Blue Mountains - Northern Grey County
Listowel - Milverton - Northern Perth County
Stratford - Mitchell - Southern Perth County
Mount Forest - Arthur - Northern Wellington County
Innisfil - New Tecumseth - Angus
Current details:
Conditions are expected to be favourable for a brief frontal snow squall Wednesday morning and lake effect snow squalls Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.
Hazards:
Locally heavy snowfall with total accumulations of 15 to 30 cm possible.
Peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 cm per hour.
Significantly reduced visibility in heavy snow and blowing snow.
Timing:
Beginning Wednesday morning and ending Thursday afternoon.
Discussion:
A sharp cold front is expected to move south through the area on Wednesday leading to the development of a frontal snow squall. Heavy flurries associated with the cold front combined with northwest winds gusting to 70 km/h will cause a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. Behind this front, lake effect snow squalls are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon persisting to Thursday afternoon. Strong northwesterly winds along with the lake effect snow squalls will lead to significantly reduced visibility.
Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone. 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.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
