Environment Canada says more snow coming to WC this week

WEST CARLETON – If you didn’t get enough snow last weekend, don’t worry, more is coming this week.

Today (Dec. 19) Environment Canada released a Special Weather Statement prognosticating a “significant winter storm expected late this week in to the holiday weekend.”

“Precipitation may begin as rain or snow late Thursday (Dec. 22) before possibly transitioning to rain in many areas early Friday (Dec. 23),” Environment Canada released in a special statement.

Temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday leading to a potential flash freeze for locations that receive rainfall. Temperatures are exepected to be just below freezing during the day with lows of around -6 degrees Celsius during that time.

Friday is expected to reach a high of 6 C before falling to around -7 C on the weekend with lows around -11 C.

“Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by strong to potentially damaging winds along with snow that may be heavy at times,” Environment Canada said. “Blizzard conditions are possible late Friday in to the weekend for areas downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.”

A multi-day lake effect snow event is expected into the weekend in the wake of the system for locations east of the Great Lakes.

“While there is high confidence in a high impact winter storm, the details regarding wind speeds, precipitation types and amounts remain highly uncertain at this time,” Environment Canada said. “Please monitor your local forecast and the latest alerts for your area. Consider altering plans through the holiday weekend as travel conditions may become dangerous. Extensive utility outages are possible. Temperatures Friday night into the weekend will likely be the coldest of the season to date.”

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.