Wintery blast set to bear down on the region

A wintery blast is expected to bear down on the region, bringing snow, cold and messy conditions for the next 24 hours.

The up and down temperatures and ever-changing conditions are about to make another about face in Simcoe County. The wet spring-like conditions that had some people using an umbrella today are about to turn back to a wintery blast.

“I take it day by day. I don’t mind it, you know, we are used to it,” says Barrie resident Martha Calderon.

Environment Canada says get used to it because the next couple of weeks are going to see a bit of everything.

“It’s really a roller coaster, yo-yo weather. We call it in the weather office: weather whiplash,” says climatologist Dave Phillips from Environment Canada.

Phillips says the proof is in the numbers. This month alone Barrie has seen highs of 17 degrees and lows of minus 25. There were 53 millimetres of rain in the first 15 days of this month.

“With this snow we are going to get tonight and through tomorrow, well we’re probably going to get 30 centimetres of snow which would be a month’s total in one day,” warns Phillips.

Cities and towns across the county are gearing up for what is expected over the next 24 hours or so. Snow removal crews are still on call, so no changes to the approach from the dead of winter.

For people who work outdoors, the fluctuating and ever-changing conditions can be challenging.

“You’ve got to wear a whole bunch of clothes with all different sizes at times, right? You’re wet, you’re cold, you’re hot and you’re sweating,” says Jon Jackson, a construction worker in Barrie.

One thing that has reared its ugly head with the freeze and thaw cycle are potholes. Massive cracks and holes in the middle of roads often force vehicles to dangerously swerve out of the way.

“Something definitely needs to be done because ultimately, you know, it comes down to safety. Something needs to be done or something needs to be addressed right away,” says Innisfil resident Darrell O’Grady.

Phillips says the next two weeks will be cooler than normal for this time of year. However, he says the summer looks like it will be warmer than normal.