Snow squall warnings, watches in effect across parts of Ontario on Monday

As certain parts of Ontario continue to deal with the effects of a blizzard over the Christmas weekend, Environment Canada staff have issued a new round of snow squall warnings and watches in parts of the province.

Central Ontario was expected to see the worst of an “organized lake effect snow band” Sunday night and into Monday afternoon.

Forecasters said in a warning issued late Sunday that areas on or near Georgian Bay such as Midland, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Parry Sound could see between 40 and 70 centimetres of extra snow.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” the snow squall warning for those areas said.

Meteorologists also encouraged taking regular breaks while clearing snow. Also, they urged people who might get stranded while driving to stay in their vehicles.

Warnings were also issued for the Wingham, northern Huron County, the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory, Sauble Beach, northern Kawartha Lakes and Fenelon Falls areas. Environment Canada staff said close to 15 centimetres of extra snow could fall by mid-Monday.

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Snow squall watches were issued for Bayfield Inlet and Dunchurch. Forecasters said there’s a chance the snow squalls expected in Parry Sound could move north.

Snow squall watches were also issued for Haldimand County as well as the Niagara Falls and Welland areas. Officials said potential snow squalls from Lake Erie could move north on Monday, potentially bringing 15 to 30 centimetres of extra snow by Tuesday. Areas close to the shoreline would most likely be impacted. They also said gusts of 60 km/h could also come.

“Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero,” meteorologists wrote while also pushing for the delay of non-essential travel.

In eastern Ontario, snow squall watches were issued for Prince Edward County, Napanee, Kingston, Gananoque and Mallorytown and Environment Canada staff said there could be up to 20 centimetres of extra snow.

They said squalls could come from Lake Ontario into the Picton area Monday morning and move north toward Kingston and along the St. Lawrence River Monday afternoon. The watch said there’s a chance Highway 401 could be affected as a part of the squalls, but added the squalls could stay just south of the corridor. Flurries could carry into late Monday.

“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably,” officials noted.

“Changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.”

Meanwhile, weather advisories were issued for Orangeville, Dufferin County, Mount Forest, northern Wellington County, Haliburton and Minden areas. Officials said five to 10 centimetres of snow could fall while also cautioning about gusts.

Heads up if you're heading north out of the GTA. Environment Canada staff have issued a series of snow squall warnings and watches for various regions in Ontario.

Certain areas could see 40 to 70 centimetres of extra snow.

Further details here: https://t.co/selvWUc723 pic.twitter.com/qlHdUBf2uP

— Nick Westoll (@NWestoll) December 26, 2022