Visibility reduced to zero, road closures and prolonged utility outages are possible in the upcoming winter storm, Environment Canada cautioned, which is expected to begin Sunday night and extend through Monday
Update at 7:41 p.m. Dec. 27:
The snowstorm forecast for Sunday morning and extending through Monday has been downgraded to a “Yellow Warning.”
Unlike the previous “Orange Warning,” yellow warnings are common, under which “Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts,” and, “Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term.”
Freezing rain with 10 to 20 mm of ice accretion is forecast alongside snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm, strong northwesterly winds with gusts of 60 to 70 km/h and reduced visibility in heavy and blowing snow.
“Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain Sunday evening and continuing through the overnight,” according to Environment Canada. “The freezing rain is expected to transition to snow through Monday morning. During the transition a brief period of ice pellets is possible. The strong northwesterly winds will pick up through Monday afternoon leading to reduced visibility from blowing snow and falling snow.”
Roads and walkways may be very difficult to navigate, travel may be hazardous and visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Road closures are possible, prolonged utility outages are possible and significant property or tree damage is possible.
“Avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities,” Environment Canada cautioned. “Prepare for disruptions to transportation, services and utilities.”
Original story:
Environment Canada has issued an orange-level warning in advance of a winter storm forecast to hit the Greater Sudbury area.
The warning, an upgrade from a previous orange level warnings, is for a hazardous winter storm expected Sunday evening to Monday night. It has been issued for:
- Searchmont – Montreal River Harbour – Batchawana Bay
- Sault Ste. Marie – St. Joseph Island
- Elliot Lake – Ranger Lake
- Greater Sudbury and vicinity
- Timmins – Cochrane – Iroquois Falls
Orange-level warnings are uncommon and are issued when, “Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.”
Both impact level and Environment Canada forecast confidence are classified as “high.”
Environment Canada forecasts freezing rain with five to 10 mm of ice accretion, snowfall amounts of 20 to 40 cm, strong northwesterly winds with gusts of 60 to 80 km/h and blizzard conditions.
“Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain Sunday evening and continuing through the overnight,” according to Environment Canada. “The freezing rain is expected to transition to snow early Monday morning. During the transition a brief period of ice pellets is possible. The strong northwesterly winds will pick up through Monday morning leading to blizzard conditions.”
Roads and walkways will likely be very difficult to navigate, Environment Canada cautioned. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times, and road closures are possible. Prolonged utility outages are likely. Significant property or tree damage is possible.
“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” Environment Canada noted. “Avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities. Prepare for disruptions to transportation, services and utilities.”
To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
For more information about the alerting program, click here.
