Heavy-lake effect snow could create havoc for drivers

Five-day extended forecast.

Environment Canada (EC) issued a snow squall warning Tuesday morning for several areas, including Barrie, Collingwood, Innisfil, Owen Sound, Orangeville, and Shelburne, with heavy lake-effect snow expected to continue through the afternoon.

The poor road conditions forced school bus cancellations in Meaford and Thornbury.

The weather agency says motorists should expect anywhere from five to 15 centimetres of new snow, with some spots seeing even more depending on how the squall bands set up over Georgian Bay.

The agency warns snowfall rates could reach up to five centimetres per hour at times, causing visibility to drop to near zero and making travel “hazardous.”

According to EC, the snow squalls are being fuelled by cold air moving across the warmer waters of Georgian Bay, a setup typical for this time of year that can make conditions unpredictable and vary dramatically from one community to the next.

The national weather agency says conditions should begin to improve from west to east later Tuesday morning, but until then, motorists are urged to be prepared for sudden whiteouts and slippery surfaces.

Roads and sidewalks are expected to become snow-covered quickly, and the blowing snow could make walking and driving treacherous.

Farther south and east, a Winter Weather Travel Advisory is in effect for Newmarket, Georgina, and northern York Region, where bursts of heavy snow could cause reduced visibility during the morning commute.

EC cautions the snow may cause a significant impact on rush-hour traffic, especially east of Highway 400.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, keep a safe distance, and watch for brake lights ahead. If visibility suddenly drops, it’s best to pull over safely and wait for conditions to improve before continuing on.