Two yellow weather alerts are in effect for the Waterloo region and Guelph as Environment Canada cautions about bitter cold temperatures and blowing snow that may affect travel and outdoor activities on Friday.
Environment Canada forecasts flurries on Friday, along with a chance of snow squalls in the afternoon and local blowing snow. Snow accumulation in Waterloo region and Guelph could reach up to 5 cm.
Strong winds might gust up to 50 km/h, with temperatures dropping to -18 C, while the wind chill could feel like -30 C by the afternoon, posing a frostbite risk, according to Environment Canada.
The blowing snow might lead to sudden near-zero visibility at times, especially in open areas, as mentioned in the warning.
“Travel will likely be hazardous due to near-zero visibility. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Road closures are possible. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.”
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Severe Cold Continues Into Weekend
The “bitterly cold conditions” are expected to last through Friday and into Saturday. “Extreme cold puts everyone at risk,” stated the warning from Environment Canada. “Watch for cold-related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes,” continued the release. It also advised people to dress warmly to prevent frostbite, check on older relatives and friends, be mindful of how cold affects pets, and take breaks indoors if working outside. Northern Wellington County areas like Mount Forest and Arthur are under a yellow advisory due to strong winds and snowfall anticipated on Friday. The Ontario Provincial Police reported that Highway 6 between Mount Forest and Fergus was closed Friday morning due to “poor visibility and deteriorating road conditions.” Snowfall amounts could reach up to 20 cm in that area. Strong wind gusts of 60 km/h will cause low visibility because of blowing snow. This weather situation has led both the Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board to close schools in northern Wellington County. Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services has also cancelled school buses for southern Wellington County and Dufferin County. Exams planned for St. James Catholic Secondary School and Our Lady or Lourdes Catholic Secondary School in Guelph have been postponed. Francobus has cancelled routes throughout Oxford County as well as Kitchener-Waterloo. Snow events remain active in Cambridge until noon Saturday while Woolwich Township’s event lasts until 11:45 p. m. Friday; parking is restricted during this time as crews work on clearing roads.More Snow Expected Sunday
This weekend brings some of the coldest temperatures seen this year across Ontario due to a polar vortex moving south from a weakened jet stream, says Environment Canada. Saturday should see a mix of sun and clouds with chances of flurries; high temperatures around -13 C will feel more like -30 C early on Saturday morning before warming slightly to -20 C by afternoon. A significant amount of snow is also expected for Sunday extending into early next week with ongoing periods of snowfall forecasted through Wednesday. The public is advised to limit outdoor activities where possible while exercising caution when traveling since visibility may be reduced according to Environment Canada.Source link
