ENVIRONMENT CANADA STATEMENTS
Warnings
3:50 PM EST Friday 23 December 2022
Blizzard warning in effect for:
- Mount Forest – Arthur – Northern Wellington County
Crippling blizzard conditions continuing into Saturday.
Travel will be extremely difficult to impossible at times and is not advised.
Hazards:
Blizzard conditions with wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h. Utility outages are possible.
Snowfall amounts of 25 to 50 cm by Sunday morning. Locally higher amounts are possible in the most persistent snow bands. Additional snowfall is expected on Sunday for some areas.
Wind chill values into the minus twenties.
Timing:
Strong winds and blizzard conditions gradually easing by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Very cold wind chill values are expected to persist into the weekend.
Discussion:
Blizzard conditions resulting from the combination of very strong winds and lake effect snow off Lake Huron will continue through Saturday. Given the localized nature of lake effect snow, accumulations will vary depending on location.
Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Protect yourself from wind, cold and disorientation by staying sheltered, indoors or with your vehicle. Anyone who is not dressed warmly is at risk of frostbite and hypothermia in cold weather. Ensure that shelter is provided for pets and outdoor animals. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
3:42 PM EST Friday 23 December 2022
Winter storm warning in effect for:
- Guelph – Erin – Southern Wellington County
- Kitchener – Cambridge – Region of Waterloo
Major winter storm continuing into Saturday morning.
Travel is hazardous and is not advised.
Hazards:
Wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h resulting in widespread blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero at times. Utility outages are possible.
Snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm by Saturday morning.
Wind chill values into the minus twenties.
Timing:
Damaging winds and widespread blowing snow continuing into early Saturday morning.
Snow will taper to flurries Saturday morning.
Very cold wind chill values will persist into the weekend.
Discussion:
Snow combined with strong to damaging winds will result in widespread blowing snow. Remember, it does not take much accumulation in combination with very strong winds for whiteout conditions to develop.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
