Major snow and ice to hit Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec Wednesday
Another major storm is gearing up to barrel into the country this week, setting sights on southern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
Folks across these regions will face a spectrum of disruptive, wintry weather conditions by the middle of the week, with major impacts to travel and power likely.
The incoming Colorado low will spread a significant swath of spring snow and whipping winds across parts of southern Manitoba and northern Ontario, with an ice and freezing rain threat spanning much of Quebec.
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Snow will cause problematic travel
The moisture-laden storm running into cold air parked over northern Ontario is a recipe for snow, and plenty of it.
Snow will arrive Tuesday evening and spread across the region through Thursday.
The heaviest snow may linger over the same communities for hours at a time, bringing the potential for 15-30 cm in many locales in Manitoba and northern Ontario.
Strong winds will lead to reduced visibility for some through this event, especially in southern Manitoba, where a winter storm warning is in effect. Drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel if possible since commuting will be dangerous.
Large swaths of Highway 11 and Highway 17 between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay will be extremely tough, if not impossible, to navigate for a time during the storm. Prepare for road closures.
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"Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning. "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."
Ice accretion could cause power outages
From Sault Ste. Marie to Parry Sound, across to Bancroft and Brockville, the threat for freezing rain sets up. Snowfall will be north of that band. Through Wednesday morning, the band of freezing rain expands and pushes toward the Ottawa Valley, prompting a freezing rain warning there. Ice accretion of 10 to 15 millimetres is possible, with power outages and tree damage possible.
Ice accretion could make side roads dangerously slick, including the potential for isolated tree damage and power outages. The bulk of the heaviest rainfall won't freeze on contact because the precipitation rates will be so high.
Temperatures spike above freezing by Wednesday evening, limiting the ice buildup. Still, 5-10 mm of ice accretion is likely in the worst-hit locations.
Conditions will gradually improve through the day on Thursday as the Colorado Low pulls out of the region and a ridge of high pressure builds in from the west.
WATCH: Incoming storm brings blizzards and thunderstorms to millions of Canadians
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates on the incoming snowstorm for southern Manitoba and Ontario.
