UPDATE: Heavy Snow Possible Then Polar Vortex Chills

 

7:38 AM EST Monday 25 December 2017
Snow squall warning in effect for:

• Sault Ste. Marie – St. Joseph Island
• Searchmont – Montreal River Harbour – Batchawana Bay

Developing snow squalls are about to move into the Sault Ste. Marie and Batchawana Bay area. They will likely persist into tonight. There is a potential for localized heavy snow accumulations of 15 to 30 cm by Tuesday morning.

In addition, local blowing snow may contribute to very poor visibility at times.

Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations.

Snow squall warnings are issued when bands of snow form that produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.

Also along with the new snow comes bone chilling cold. The year will end with the coldest air of the year dropping daytime highs to a chilly -15c by Boxing Day and lasting through the first week of 2018. A pool of cold arctic air known as the polar vortex will dip southerly over Ontario for at least 7 or more days.  The cold air over the warmer waters of course can produce numerous snow squalls.