Weather warnings across northern Ont.: Freezing rain, snow

A messy storm bringing wintery weather across northern Ontario is expected to create hazardous conditions in a large portion of the region Thursday and Friday.

Environment Canada upgraded its weather alerts to snowfall and freezing rain warnings for communities stretching from the Quebec-Ontario border, north of Lake Superior and west to the Manitoba border.

Environment Canada Northern Ontario weather alert map Nov. 10/22

A developing low-pressure system will begin Thursday morning and continue into Friday.

FREEZING RAIN WARNINGS

As temperatures hover around freezing, precipitation is expected to bring 20-50 mm of rain, five to 10 mm of ice accretion and two to five cm of ice pellet accumulations in these areas:

• Atikokan - Shebandowan - Quetico Park
• Chapleau - Missinaibi Lake
• Cloud Bay - Dorion
• Kakabeka Falls - Whitefish Lake - Arrow Lake
• Marathon - Schreiber
• Nipigon – Rossport
• Thunder Bay
• Timmins - Cochrane - Iroquois Falls
• Wawa - Pukaskwa Park
• White River - Dubreuilville

SNOWFALL WARNINGS

Significant snowfall will begin in some areas Thursday morning and bring nearly 15 centimetres of snow.

"The heaviest snow is expected to fall this evening into Friday morning. Snow is likely to mix with ice pellets at times during this period," Environment Canada said in a weather alert Thursday morning.

There is a danger of reduced visibility in heavy and blowing snow.

Here are the communities affected:

• Dryden - Vermilion Bay
• Fraserdale - Pledger Lake
• Ignace - English River
• Kapuskasing - Hearst - Smooth Rock Falls
• Kenora - Grassy Narrows – Whitedog
• Little Abitibi - Kesagami Lake
• Seine River Village - Mine Centre

RAINFALL WARNINGS

North of Sault Ste. Marie, in the Agawa and Lake Superior Park areas, heavy rain will continue with a total accumulation of 50 to 70 mm by Friday morning.

"Precipitation in the form of rain is expected to continue today along with the risk of embedded thunderstorms," Environment Canada said.

"(Thursday night) the rain is expected to continue, however, there is the potential that the rain could fall as freezing rain over areas of higher terrain. By Friday morning, the freezing rain threat diminishes and rain is expected to taper off."

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WINTER STORM WARNING

Closer to the Manitoba-Ontario border snowfall of 15 to 25 centimetres is expected by Friday.

Strong wind gusts will create blowing snow and reduced visibility, Environment Canada said.

"Snowfall rates of near two cm per hour possible in the heaviest snow," the weather alert said.

"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. 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."

Areas affected include:

• Fort Frances, Emo and Rainy River
• Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls – Morson

WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Communities north of Lake Superior and Highway 11 should see seven to 12 centimetres between Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Including:

• Armstrong - Auden - Wabakimi Park
• Nakina - Aroland – Pagwa
• Savant Lake - Sturgeon Lake
• Sioux Lookout - Eastern Lac Seul

Find the current weather conditions and seven-day forecast for your community here.