Double weather whammy today. There's a snow squall warning and an extreme cold warning in effect.
Flurries and local snow squalls. Local blowing snow this morning and early this afternoon. Local amount 5 cm. Wind gusting to 50 km/h. High minus 19. Wind chill minus 40 this morning and minus 31 this afternoon.
Cloudy. Periods of snow beginning early in the afternoon. Amount 2 cm. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High minus 8. Wind chill minus 32.
Here are the details of both weather advisories issued by Environment Canada:
Snow squall warning in effect for:
- Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
Snow squalls are occurring. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.
Snow squalls from Georgian near Collingwood are extending southeastward through Borden and areas west of Highway 400. The snow squalls are expected to remain stationary over the next several hours before weakening later this morning. Near zero visibilities and hazardous driving conditions are expected in snow squalls and blowing snow this morning due to northwesterly winds gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour.
Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Road closures are possible.
Snow squall warnings are issued when bands of snow form that produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
- Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
- Midland - Coldwater - Orr Lake
- Orillia - Lagoon City - Washago
A prolonged period of very cold wind chills continues.
An Arctic ridge of high pressure continues to bring cold temperatures and brisk northwesterly winds to Southern Ontario. Windchill values are expected to continue from minus 35 in urban locations to minus 42 in rural areas this morning then continue in the minus 28 to minus 35 range from later this morning until Sunday morning. Many areas will likely remain in the Extreme Cold Warning until Sunday morning when conditions are expected to improve.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk.
Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
Check on older family, friends and neighbours.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables.
If it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling. If present, move indoors and begin warming.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
