Flash freeze, snow squall, and winter weather travel advisories in effect for the Sault and surrounding areas

WEATHER ALERT
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
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Flash freeze warning continued for:

•    Searchmont - Montreal River Harbour - Batchawana Bay
•    Sault Ste. Marie - St. Joseph Island

Current details:
Temperatures are forecast to fall rapidly. Ponding water, slush, and any falling precipitation will freeze as the temperature drops.

Hazards:
Sudden icy conditions on roads and walkways.
A brief period of freezing rain.
Strong wind gusts to 70 or 80 km/h.

Timing:
Early this morning.

Discussion:
Temperatures will continue to fall early this morning after the passage of a sharp cold front. Temperatures are expected to go from well above freezing to below freezing within a few hours. A brief period of freezing rain and ice pellets is also expected this morning before transitioning to snow.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.

Flash freeze warnings are issued when a rapid drop in temperature is expected, that can cause water from rain or melted snow on streets and sidewalks to quickly freeze.

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.

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Snow squall warning replaces snow squall watch for:

•    Sault Ste. Marie - St. Joseph Island

Current details:
Snow squalls are expected to develop this morning.

Hazards:
Snowfall accumulations of 15 to 25 cm.
Reduced visibility in heavy snow and blowing snow.
Strong winds gusting to 70 or 80 km/h today.

Timing:
Beginning this morning through Thursday morning.

Discussion:
Ice pellets and snow will transition to snow squalls this morning with the passage of a strong cold front. Strong northwesterly wind gusting to 70 or 80 km/h are also expected today. These winds will lead to significantly reduced visibilities, to near zero at times, in snow and blowing snow. Wind will begin to ease late this afternoon or evening. Snow squalls will weaken and move north of the area by early Thursday afternoon.

Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations.

Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Snow squall warnings are issued when bands of snow form that produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.

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.

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Weather advisory continued for:

•    Wawa - White River - Pukaskwa
•    Agawa - Lake Superior Park

Current details:
Winter weather travel advisory in effect for today.

Hazards:
Additional snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm.
Reduced visibility in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Timing:
Now ending late this afternoon.

Discussion:
Snow and blowing snow is expected to taper off late this afternoon.

Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.

For road conditions and other traveller information from the Ministry of Transportation, visit https://www.ontario.ca/511, https://www.twitter.com/511Ontario, or call 5-1-1.

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.

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