Up to 40 cm of snow expected for parts of Simcoe County as snow squalls move in

A 60km/h speed limit road sign is nearly buried under snow in Barrie, Ont.

Residents across Simcoe County are bracing for a major blast of winter weather, with snow squalls expected to deliver as much as 40 centimetres of snow in some areas by Tuesday afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued weather warnings for the region Monday morning, cautioning that near-zero visibility and hazardous travel conditions are likely through the night and into Tuesday.

The snow squalls are forecasted to develop in the evening and persist through much of Tuesday, with some areas possibly seeing even higher accumulations.

Blowing snow & squalls

The national weather agency states strong westerly winds gusting between 60 and 80 kilometres an hour will combine with the snowfall to create blowing and drifting snow, especially in open or exposed areas.

Wind chills are also expected to dip between minus 20 and minus 25, adding to the challenges for those who need to be outdoors.

Officials are urging residents to prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating road conditions.

All school buses and vans in Simcoe County’s North Weather Zone have already been cancelled due to projected poor visibility and road conditions throughout the day.