40 cm of snow expected by Sunday morning: Environment Canada

WEATHER ALERT ENVIRONMENT CANADA *********************************** Issued at 2024-11-28 8:59PM EST by Environment Canada: Snow squall warning continued for:    Bracebridge - Gravenhurst Snow squall warning replaces snow squall watch for:    Midland - Coldwater - Orr Lake

Current details: Multi-day lake effect snow squall event beginning this evening.

Hazards: Locally heavy snowfall with accumulations possibly exceeding 40 cm by Friday evening. Peak snowfall rates of 5 to 10 cm per hour. Very poor visibility at times in heavy snow and local blowing snow. Power outages are possible. Additional locally heavy snowfall Saturday.

Timing: Beginning this evening and ending Sunday morning.

Discussion: Lake effect snow off of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay will strengthen into a very intense snow squall band this evening. This band may extend well inland towards Haliburton and produce very high snowfall rates, especially on Friday. The band may briefly shift south of the area Friday night but is expected to move back north into the area on Saturday.

As is common with snow squalls, snowfall amounts will be highly variable. Some areas may receive in excess of 75 cm by Sunday morning.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility. Road closures are likely.

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. For information on emergency plans and kits go to https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/.

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.

More details on the alert are available here.

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