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Storm expected to bring high winds, hazardous travel conditions

Wind gusts of 90 km/h, extensive blowing snow possible, warns Environment Canada
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WEATHER ALERT
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
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Winter storm watch in effect for:
    •    Guelph - Erin - Southern Wellington County
    •    Kitchener - Cambridge - Region of Waterloo

Major winter storm expected tonight into the holiday weekend.

Hazards:
Wind gusts near 90 km/h creating widespread blowing snow which will significantly reduce visibility.
Snowfall amounts of 5 to 15 cm by Friday night. Locally higher amounts are expected as a result of lake effect snow. Additional significant lake effect snow is expected through the weekend.
Flash freeze producing icy and slippery surfaces.

Timing:
Strong winds developing Friday morning and continuing into Saturday. Snow and extensive blowing snow developing Friday morning and continuing into Saturday.
Lake effect snow develops off Georgian Bay Friday night and continues through Sunday.
Flash freeze possible Friday morning.

Discussion:
Precipitation is expected to begin as snow or rain this evening. Temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday morning leading to a potential flash freeze. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by strong winds along with snow, heavy at times. Extensive blowing snow will develop Friday morning. Very cold wind chills are expected to develop on Friday and persist into the weekend.

Avoid travel if possible. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. 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 here..

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

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