It’s been expected all week, and now Environment Canada has made it official… A winter storm warning has been issued for St. Thomas, Elgin County and much of Southern Ontario.
Environment Canada is being very blunt in their messaging, saying that a “major winter storm is expected Thursday night into Saturday”.
Here is the expected timing of the storm for St. Thomas and Elgin County:
THURSDAY – Rain is expected to begin in the afternoon with wind gusts around 40km/hr. High +3. Total rainfall amount around 15-20mm.
THURSDAY NIGHT – Rain continues, but is expected to change over to snow overnight. Low -2.
FRIDAY – Periods of snow & blowing snow. Around 15-20cm of snow is expected. The temperature continues to fall to -7. Feeling like -18 during the day. A “flash freeze” is also possible from the rain the previous day. Wind gusts up to 90km per hour are expected.
FRIDAY NIGHT – Snow is expected to continue. Winds expected to continue up to 91km/hr. Low -14, feeling like -28 with the windchill.
SATURDAY (CHRISTMAS EVE) – Flurries expected – around 1-3cm worth. High winds and bitterly cold temperatures continue. High -10. Wind Chill at -21.
SUNDAY (CHRISTMAS DAY) – Flurries still possible. High -9, feeling like -19.
Impacts:
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 to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
Please continue to monitor 94.1 myFM on the radio and online for the latest weather updates as this storm tracks towards us.
This Weather Alert is brought to you by Gastech Solutions Inc.
