Snow squall watches and warnings abound across central Ontario

Snow squall watches and warnings abound across central Ontario.

Environment Canada is has issued a snow squall watch in a large swath of central Ontario, while northern areas are under a snow squall warning.

Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Innisfil, New Tecumseth and Angus are under the squall warning.

The national weather agency says heavy snowfall with total accumulations of 15 to 30 centimetres. It also notes snow squalls off Georgian Bay will shift south into the area later this afternoon or this evening and that travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

To the north, the squall warning issued for areas including Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Baysville, Midland, Coldwater and Parry Sound is calling for 20 to 40 centimetres of snow, with some areas expecting up to 60 centimetres.

Environment Canada says, “A particularly intense band of lake effect snow continues to affect areas just south of Parry Sound. This band of lake effect snow will persist through this morning before beginning to shift south through the afternoon. Event total snowfall amounts may exceed 60 cm should the band remain stationary over a given area. Westerly winds gusting to 50 kilometres-per-hour may result in local blowing snow, predominantly for exposed areas near Georgian Bay.”

The weather agency advises that rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Road closures are possible.

If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone.