Snowfall Warning and Wind Statement Issued for Eastern Ontario Amid Severe Weather Conditions

Snowfall Warning and Strong Wind Statement Issued for Eastern Ontario

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning and a special weather statement for strong winds affecting parts of eastern Ontario on Sunday. The snowfall warning, issued early morning, covers areas including Belleville, Barry’s Bay, Bancroft, and the Laurentian Valley.

The agency forecasts up to 20 centimetres of snow in these regions, which is expected to significantly impact travel conditions. Alongside snowfall, strong wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour are expected in Kingston, Belleville, and Greater Napanee.

Travelers are advised to prepare for hazardous road conditions as both snow and wind will create challenges until conditions improve this evening. Although Ottawa is not under the snowfall warning, Environment Canada warns the city could still receive around 10 centimetres of snow on Sunday.

Details of Weather Alerts

1. Snowfall Warning (Yellow Level):

   • Areas affected: Belleville, Barry’s Bay, Bancroft, Laurentian Valley
   • Snow accumulation: Up to 20 cm
   • Impact: Hazardous travel due to heavy snow accumulation
2. Special Weather Statement – Strong Winds:
   • Areas affected: Kingston, Belleville, Greater Napanee
   • Wind gusts: Up to 80 km/h
   • Impact: Potential damage and travel difficulties from strong gusts

New Weather Alert System

Environment Canada has implemented a new weather alert framework aligned with European agencies and recommendations from the World Meteorological Organization. This system simplifies alerts into three colour-coded levels:

• Yellow: Hazardous or dangerous conditions with possible health impacts.
• Orange: Likely severe storms causing widespread or significant damage.
• Red: Life-threatening weather conditions with prolonged disruptions.

This update aims to make warnings clearer and more actionable for the public. Residents in eastern Ontario are encouraged to stay updated on weather conditions throughout the day and adjust plans accordingly.

Officials urge caution when traveling and recommend monitoring official sources for real-time updates as the weather system moves through the region.