Dangerous travel with potent multi-day snow squalls in Ontario, risk of 60 cm – The Weather Network

Snow squalls will continue off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay through Friday morning, impacting Highway 400 and Highway 11 from Barrie to Orillia, as well as Highway 21 and 26. Snow squall watches and warnings are in effect, with locally heavy accumulations up to 60 cm possible.

“Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Road closures are possible.”

Drivers are urged to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

A wind change interrupts the squalls Friday morning, having them shift southwards, and giving a break in the squalls off Georgian Bay. That squall shift south to Lake Huron however, will bring more snow to areas along Highway 21.

More squalls develop once again Friday night and continue through Saturday, bringing another round of persistent snow to the same locations that are hit from Thursday to Friday.

Wind gusts will range from 40-50 km/h through Friday, and will pick up for Saturday with gusts upwards to 60 km/h.