Update at 9:57 a.m. – Major winter storm today into Saturday.
Travel is hazardous and is not advised.
Hazards:
– Wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h resulting in widespread blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero at times. Utility outages are possible.
– Snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm by Saturday morning.
– Wind chill values into the minus twenties.
Timing:
– Damaging winds and widespread blowing snow continuing into early Saturday morning.
– Snow will taper to flurries Saturday morning.
– Very cold wind chill values will persist into the weekend.
“Snow combined with strong to damaging winds will result in widespread blowing snow. Remember, it does not take much accumulation in combination with very strong winds for whiteout conditions to develop.”
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. 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.
A winter storm warning is in effect for all of Southwestern Ontario, including Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton, as a major winter storm is taking place today into Saturday.
Travel will become hazardous and is not advised, Environment Canada officials said at 6:58 a.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022.
Here is the latest from Environment Canada:
Hazards:
– Wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h resulting in widespread blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero at times. Utility outages are possible.
– Snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm by Saturday morning.
– Wind chill values into the minus twenties.
– Flash freeze producing icy and slippery surfaces.
Timing:
– Damaging winds and widespread blowing snow developing this morning and continuing into early Saturday morning.
– Snow will taper to flurries Saturday morning.
– Very cold wind chill values will develop this morning and persist into the weekend.
– Flash freeze possible this morning.
“Temperatures are expected to plummet this morning leading to a potential flash freeze,” forecasters say.
“Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by snow and strong to damaging winds which will result in widespread blowing snow. Remember, it does not take much accumulation in combination with very strong winds for whiteout conditions to develop.”
Forecasters added: “Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. 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, forecasters added.
To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
