Special weather statement in Chatham-Kent, winter storm warning in Sarnia-Lambton, school buses cancelled in Lambton

A special weather statement remains in place across Chatham-Kent, as heavy wet snow or rain is expected today, Friday, March 3, 2023.

Environment Canada officials say hazards, include: Reduced visibility due to heavy wet snow and blowing snow, total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm possible, rainfall accumulations of 20 to 30 mm possible and strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h.

The timing of the storm in Chatham-Kent is this afternoon into Saturday morning.

“A Texas low is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to a large swath of southern Ontario,” forecasters say.

“Snow will begin this afternoon and quickly become heavy at times. Heavy snow in combination with strong easterly winds may create reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions. Snow may mix with ice pellets at times or even transition over to rain. Areas that change over to rain may see significant rainfall accumulations. Temperatures in some areas across the region, especially near Lake Erie, may remain above zero during the snowfall, which will limit snowfall accumulations.”

Environment Canada officials added: “There remains some uncertainty regarding the placement of the heaviest snow. Rainfall warnings or winter weather travel advisories may be issued as the event approaches.”

In Sarnia-Lambton, a winter storm warning is in place.

Forecasters say hazards in Sarnia-Lambton, include: Significantly reduced visibility due to heavy snow and blowing snow, total snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 cm, snowfall rates up to 4 cm/h possible and rapidly accumulating snowfall creating hazardous travel conditions.

“Heavy snow in combination with strong easterly winds may create reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions,” Environment Canada officials say.

“Temperatures in some areas across the region, especially southern portions of Lambton and Middlesex counties, may remain above zero during the snowfall, causing the snow to become mixed with rain at times, limiting accumulations. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”

As a result, school buses in Zones 1-4, which cover Sarnia-Lambton, are cancelled for the day. Buses in all other zones are running normally.

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.

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