Parts of GTA could see up to 60 cm of snowfall on Friday

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Parts of the GTA remain under a snow squall warning today with up to 60 centimetres of snowfall possible in some areas in the next 24 hours.

The snow squall warning is in effect for parts of Durham Region, including Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa. Southern Durham Region could see between 10 and 30 centimetres of snowfall on Friday.

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The storm is expected to hit areas north of Toronto even harder.

Municipalities in northern York Region area, including Newmarket, Georgina, and Uxbridge, could see upwards of 60 centimetres before the storm subsides by Saturday morning.

“Intense bands of lake effect snow off of Georgian Bay will affect the area today and tonight. These bands are not expected to shift much. Where the bands lock in, very heavy accumulations will be possible,” Environment Canada said in its advisory.

“Strong winds are also expected, reducing visibility to near zero at times in local blowing snow.”

Widespread school bus cancellations have been reported in Simcoe County as a result of the storm.

Environment Canada said “lake effect activity” should diminish in intensity either tonight or Saturday morning.

The national weather agency is urging people in these areas to avoid non-essential travel during the winter storm.

The City of Toronto will come away from the weather event mostly unscathed. Environment Canada says there is a risk of flurries in Toronto throughout the day but no significant accumulation is expected.

Toronto will see a high of 0 C on Friday.