The weather is about to get frightful heading toward the holiday weekend.
A winter weather travel advisory is in effect Tuesday for the Greenstone, Manitouwadge, and Hornepayne areas, with a special weather statement in effect across the broader region for later in the week.
Areas affected on Tuesday can expect between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow, with reduced visibility due to heavy and blowing snow.
Beginning Thursday, a significant winter storm has the region in its crosshairs, which could include a multi-day lake effect snow event.
In a special weather statement, Environment Canada is reporting that there is a possible blizzard expected to hit the north shore Lake Superior area with strong gusts of winds ranging between 20 to 40 kilometres per hour.
"The special weather statement is really highlighting the strong winds that are happening within the system," warning preparedness meteorologist Peter Kimbell said. "They won’t start right away, but they will gradually increase into Thursday.”
Kimbell suggests that by Thursday evening the wind with reach its peak at between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour. The snow will start for north shore Lake Superior areas on Thursday, spreading further east into Friday with heavy snow likely to continue through Saturday.
Across northern Ontario, Kimbell said people should use caution while travelling, as blowing snow will reduce visibility.
“People travelling along the north shore, just be extra, extra cautious because conditions will be difficult,” said Kimbell.
People travelling down to southern Ontario this holiday weekend should expect deep freezing consideration as the system moves across the province.
“The system is going to be pretty significant on Friday across southern Ontario,” Kimbell said.
