Weather alerts in effect across Canada: Freezing rain, snow, extreme cold

People make their way through the falling snow in downtown Ottawa, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Environment Canada has issued a series of winter weather alerts from Edmonton to St. John's as freezing rain, snow squalls and extreme cold blanket parts of the country.

Here's what to expect:

In the Edmonton area, freezing rain warnings were in effect early Friday morning, expected to occur sporadically. Road conditions may be icy or slippery.

In northern Saskatchewan, near Cree Lake, residents are facing extreme cold warnings, with wind chills near -45. Temperatures are expected to rise later in the afternoon, but will remain extremely cold; closer to -30.

In southern Ontario, from Goose Lake to Port Elgin, a snow squall watch is active. Heavy snowfall of between 20 and 30 centimetres is expected across the area. Meanwhile, weather statements for snowfall of two to 10 centimetres have been issued for the southwest shore of Lake Ontario (from Oakville to Niagara-on-the-Lake) along the Canada-U.S. border and the northeast shore of Lake Erie (Fort Erie to Moulton Bay). Poor visibility is expected.

Along the northern portion of the Ontario-Quebec border, an extreme cold warning has been issued, with cold air, clear skies and light winds expected into early Saturday morning.

On the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, a special weather statement is active for snowfall of more than 20 centimetres, with strong winds and blowing snow. Further to the northeast, the coastal areas near Natashquan, Que. is under blowing snow advisories, with some areas facing near-zero visibility. Closer to the coastal Labrador border, a winter storm warning is in effect, featuring 15 to 25 centimetres of snow.

In the Maritimes: Snowfall statements are active in P.E.I., the Magdalen Islands, Cape Breton Island and southeastern New Brunswick, each for potentially 15 or more centimetres of snow. Heavier snow is expected in central and southern Nova Scotia, between 15 and 30 centimetres. A snowfall warning is active in those regions.

A winter storm watch is in effect for southeast Labrador and northern Newfoundland, carrying 15 to 30 centimetres of snow and winds of 80 to 120 km/h. Central Newfoundland is under special weather statements for snow and freezing rain of between 10 to 15 cm and 20 and 30 mm, respectively. Along the island's southern coast, overlapping weather warnings are in effect for wind and rainfall.