Blizzard, ice storm warnings blanket northern Ontario

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7-Day weather forecast for northeastern Ontario

Hazardous roads, whiteouts prompt travel warnings in northern Ont.

Blizzard paralyzes northern Ont., closing highways

7-Day weather forecast for northeastern Ontario

5-Day weather forecast for northeastern Ontario

A potent and prolonged winter storm is set to wallop a vast swath of northeastern Ontario, with Environment Canada issuing a barrage of warnings Sunday morning for blizzards, heavy snow and significant freezing rain expected to last into Monday night.

The federal weather service has placed numerous regions under alerts, indicating high confidence in a severe and disruptive weather event that will create hazardous travel and likely cause utility outages. In response, the Ontario Provincial Police are urging drivers to avoid all non-essential travel.

Northern communities brace for blizzard

The most severe conditions, marked by orange-level alerts, are forecast for a broad northern corridor including Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and surrounding communities.

For the Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake regions, the storm brings a triple threat.

“Freezing rain with 5 to 10 mm of ice accretion,” followed by “snowfall amounts of 20 to 40 cm” and “northwesterly wind gusts of 60 to 80 km/h” leading to blizzard conditions, meteorologists indicated in the alerts.

“Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times,” the alert said.

“Road closures are possible. Prolonged utility outages are likely. Significant property or tree damage is possible.”

Further north, the Timmins, Cochrane and Chapleau areas are preparing for an intense snowfall. The alert warns of “snowfall amounts of 30 to 50 cm” combined with winds gusting to 70 km/h.

“The strong northwesterly winds will pick up through Monday morning, leading to blizzard conditions,” Environment Canada’s forecast confirms.

Central corridor faces major ice accumulation

While the north deals with snow and wind, a central band of communities faces a critical ice threat. The Greater Sudbury, North Bay and Manitoulin Island regions are under yellow alerts for significant freezing rain.

The alerts forecast “freezing rain with 10 to 15 mm of ice accretion” alongside 10 to 20 cm of snow and gusty winds.

“Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain this evening and continue through the overnight hours,” the alert for Greater Sudbury states.

“Travel may be hazardous. Prolonged utility outages are possible.”

This ice threat extends west to Blind River and Thessalon and east to the West Nipissing and French River areas, creating a wide area where roads may become dangerously slick and power lines vulnerable.

Police urge extreme caution, advise against travel

Ahead of the deteriorating conditions, the OPP has issued repeated advisories for drivers to take extra caution.

“OPP is advising drivers to take extra caution on the roads starting this evening and into the weekend due to winter weather conditions,” police said in a social media post ahead of the storm.

The police urge motorists to be ready for low visibility and slippery conditions, slow down, leave extra space between vehicles and turn on full headlights.

“Take your time in getting to your destination to ensure you arrive safely,” OPP said in a separate post, with the strongest recommendation being to “avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.”

The OPP directs the public to monitor 511on.ca for real-time road updates and weather forecasts for alerts.

Environment Canada’s alerts echo the police advice, uniformly urging residents to “prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions” and to “avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities.”

The weather agency also advises continued monitoring of alerts.

Environment Canada asks that severe weather be reported by email to [e-mail] or on social media using the hashtag #ONStorm.

Provincial police said if experiencing an emergency on the road, the public should call 911; for non-emergency matters, OPP can be reached at 1-888-310-1122.