Snow, gusty winds prompt weather alerts in southwestern Ontario

A person bundled up for the cold weather walks through blowing snow on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Environment Canada has issued an orange snow squall watch for Stratford, Minto, North Perth and surrounding communities as hazardous travel conditions are expected Monday night into Tuesday.

The watch warns of lake-effect snow squalls producing local snowfall of 20 to 40 centimetres, with the highest accumulations expected east of Lake Huron. Visibility may drop to near zero in heavy snow and blowing snow.

“Temperatures will fall sharply in the wake of a cold front today,” the advisory read in part. “Snow squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay will be accompanied by westerly to northwesterly winds gusting 70 to 90 km/h. Hazardous travel conditions as a result of heavy snow and extensive blowing snow will continue through Tuesday morning.”

A separate special weather statement has also been issued for southern Ontario, warning of strong winds gusting 70 to 90 kilometres per hour through Tuesday morning.

“High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break. Local utility outages possible,” the advisory read.

The Grand Erie Public Health region, covering Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk, is under a cold notification.

Temperatures are expected to drop below -15 degrees Celsius, or wind chill values may reach -20 degrees Celsius. Residents are encouraged to take precautions against hypothermia and frostbite, and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.