Snow may arrive in Barrie next week — but squalls still a wild card, city says

Winter is on the way and the City of Barrie is staying ahead of the curve.

With winter just around the corner, City of Barrie operations staff are already keeping a close eye on next week’s weather, as forecasts point to a possible early taste of snow.

According to Dave Friary, Barrie’s director of operations, the latest weather models suggest some activity Sunday and Monday, but conditions can still change.

“We’ll know better tomorrow and should be able to see something on the radar,” Friary said Friday morning in an email to CTV News.

He noted that even when forecasts look relatively calm, snow squalls can still develop unexpectedly, and that’s something residents should keep in mind as the temperature drops.

“Forecasts don’t account for squalls, which can pop up,” Friary added.

The city’s operations team monitors weather patterns closely this time of year to prepare for sudden shifts that could affect roads and visibility. Squalls, which Environment Canada describes as intense bursts of snow accompanied by strong winds, can appear quickly and cause localized whiteouts, making driving difficult even when nearby areas remain clear.

While it’s too early to say how much snow might arrive, residents are encouraged to keep an eye on forecasts through the weekend and allow extra time if travelling early in the week.