As the holidays come to an end, Winter is about to flex a little muscle over the next few days, starting Sunday night and lasting the week with off and on snow squalls and a blast of frigid arctic air to settle in.
Snow squalls are expected. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.
Snow squall warning in effect for:
- Sault Ste. Marie – St. Joseph Island
- Searchmont – Montreal River Harbour – Batchawana Bay
Much colder air delivered fresh from the Arctic is returning to Northern Ontario today. This northwest flow of cold air rushing over the relatively warm waters of lake Superior will generate snow squalls. Snow squalls are expected to develop late this afternoon and persist through Monday and may actually last well into Tuesday as well. Local snowfall rates of 10 to 15 cm per 12 hours are expected under the strongest snow squalls. There is some potential for a snow squall to lock in over a locale or two for several hours. If this happens, local snowfall amounts of 30 cm or more in a 12 hour period are quite possible.
Hazardous driving conditions from near zero visibility in bursts of heavy snow, blowing snow and from rapidly accumulating snow on untreated roads are expected. People considering travel should adjust their plans accordingly.
Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably, changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Road closures are 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 flashlig
It’s beginning to look a lot like 2 weeks after Christmas!
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