A snow squall watch is in effect for Barrie and area and a winter travel advisory has been issued for Muskoka.
Cloudy today with rain showers beginning near noon then changing to flurries this afternoon. Local snowfall amount 2 cm. Wind gusting to 50 km/h. High plus 5 with temperature falling to minus 1 this afternoon.
Tonight the forecast is calling for flurries and snow squalls. Local amount 10 to 15 cm. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 14. Wind chill minus 25.
On Friday we'll see flurries with the risk of snow squalls in the morning. Local amount 5 cm. Wind northwest 30 km/h. High minus 3. Wind chill minus 25.
Here are the details of the Snow Squall Watch issued by Environment Canada:
4:45 AM EST Thursday 09 November 2017
Snow squall watch in effect for:
- Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
- Midland - Coldwater - Orr Lake
- Orillia - Lagoon City - Washago
Snow squalls are expected to develop. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.
Conditions are favourable for a period of lake effect snow squalls southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay beginning this evening and continuing into Friday. These will be the first significant snow squalls of the season. Total snowfall accumulations in excess of 15 cm are possible for areas that receive multiple snow squalls.
A cold front will move over Southern Ontario this afternoon prior to the development of snow squalls and will rapidly reduce temperatures to the freezing mark. This will change rain showers to flurries and lead to hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures will continue to drop well below the freezing mark this evening.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is closely monitoring the situation and will update messages as required.
Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Road closures are possible. 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/
Snow squall watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the formation of bands of snow that could produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.
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4:23 AM EST Thursday 09 November 2017
Weather advisory in effect for:
- Bracebridge - Gravenhurst
- Huntsville - Baysville
- Port Carling - Port Severn
- Town of Parry Sound - Rosseau - Killbear Park
Winter Weather Travel Advisory in effect for this afternoon.
Snowfall and rapidly falling temperatures will affect road conditions beginning this afternoon.
A cold front will pass through the region this afternoon. As this front passes temperatures will drop and scattered rain showers will change to flurries. As a result, untreated surfaces could become icy and slippery especially this evening.
Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 cm are expected by late this evening before the snow tapers to isolated flurries.