Environment Canada has issued a series of severe weather alerts across Canada as late-season storms dump major snowfall from the Rockies to the Atlantic Coast.
Residents in seven provinces can expect potential snow accumulations of as much 30 centimetres (cm) in the coming hours and days. Here’s what to know:
Atlantic Canada
A severe weather warning is in effect in northwestern Newfoundland today, projecting up to 10 cm of snow by Friday morning. Environment Canada says the heaviest snowfall is expected today, followed by slowing accumulations overnight.
Snow is expected to make highways, roads and walkways more difficult to navigate, the agency says. Travellers should adjust their driving as road conditions evolve.
A separate warning was in effect in Cape Breton, N.S., predicting 10 to 20 cm of snow between early morning and noon, local time, but has since been lifted. Drivers were advised to exercise caution on the roads.
Quebec
Southwest regions of Quebec are under a special weather statement on Thursday, from Sherbrooke, west along the Ontario boundary and including Montreal and Gatineau. Environment Canada says a low-pressure system is expected to move into the region from the American Midwest, increasing the chance of snowfall, though the exact path of the system is not yet clear.
Residents can expect the possibility of snow, which could turn into ice pellets.
In the north-central region from Val-d’Or to Mistissini, a snow squall watch is in effect. Heavy flurries Thursday afternoon are expected to reduce visibility to near zero with little warning. Travel may be hazardous.
Ontario
A spring ice storm is likely to hit much of Ontario this weekend, from Cornwall in the east, along Lake Ontario’s coast to the southern GTA, west to the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island and following the northern coasts of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron and Lake Superior to the Manitoba boundary.
In the east, Environment Canada’s special weather statements call the coming storm “potent,” featuring freezing rain and ice buildup that could reach 20 millimetres (mm) and snowfall and ice pellets that could reach 15 cm.
The agency warns of possible utility outages across the region, as well as slippery surfaces and fallen tree branches.
Further to the north, from the Timiskaming area west to Thunder Bay, snowfall is expected to be greater, possibly exceeding 25 cm in some areas. Heavy snow is likely to reduce visibility and difficult travel conditions are expected, including possible road closures.
Environment Canada weather statements in Ontario were upgraded to warnings from the Manitoba border to North Bay as conditions developed Thursday afternoon. The storm is expected to last into Monday.
The Prairies
Heavy snowfall is expected in the northwestern corridor from Winnipeg to Edmonton and the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains Thursday and Friday.
Environment Canada projects up to 25 cm of snow for parts of the southern Prairies, reaching up to 30 cm in some regions. Freezing rain is also expected near the Saskatchewan-Alberta boundary, west of Regina.
Heavy winds are expected, which may reduce visibility and worsen highway conditions. Environment Canada says that rapidly accumulating snow will contribute to travel risks. Drivers are advised to reduce speed, watch for taillights ahead and leave appropriate room ahead in slippery conditions.
Yukon
A blizzard warning is in effect along the Dempster Highway corridor from the Dawson area northeast to the Northwest Territories boundary, near Fort McPherson. Gusting winds are expected to bring visibility to near zero “frequently,” amid blowing snow.
Winds are expected to reach 80 km/h on Friday. Travellers are advised to prepare for quickly deteriorating road conditions. If travel is essential, planning ahead by informing others of your destination and expected arrival time, as well as bringing an emergency kit and mobile phone, are recommended.
You can learn more about active weather alerts at Environment Canada’s dashboard and the latest forecasts at CTVNews.ca’s weather hub.
