Two big storms coming from Colorado (Friday and Sunday). EC issued watches for most of southern ontario yesterday a full 2 days in advance. (unfortunately my area still not covered even though we will get hit eventually, its been 2 weeks since I put warning/watch scripts on my site and no warnings issues....doh)
Check out this verbatim special weather statement. "snow-mageddon"
Andrew
WOCN11 CWTO 172051
Special weather statement issued by Environment Canada Ontario
region.
3:51 PM EST Wednesday 17 December 2008.
Special weather statement issued for..
City of Toronto
Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
Sarnia - Lambton
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
Kingston - Prince Edward
Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
City of Ottawa
Gatineau
Prescott and Russell
Cornwall - Morrisburg
Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Haliburton
Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry's Bay
Algonquin
Burk's Falls - Bayfield Inlet.
..Could this be snow-mageddon?..
Environment Canada is generally not prone to exaggeration unless
there is deemed to be a real threat. We evaluate weather information
and prediction models in a measured, scientific manner and couple
that with overall impacts for significant events.
Mother nature from time to time will line up a near perfect set of
conditions that generate a series of significant events. That time
appears to be the coming week or so for many portions of southern
Ontario in the form of snow storms. There appears to the right
balance of sufficiently cold air in place, with Arctic highs to
The north and a storm track along the lower Great Lakes. The term
'snow-mageddon' is not meant to alarm anyone or make light of the
situation, but to highlight the cumulative effects and impacts that
A series of snow storms can have on a wide region.
A blanket of 10 centimetres fell last night across much of the lower
Great Lakes. But a much more significant snow storm originating from
Colorado is targeting the region on Friday. Heavy snow combined with
strong easterly winds will produce a particularly nasty storm. There
is also the possibility of ice pellets or freezing rain mixed with
the snow from the southwest and east across Niagara. A winter storm
watch is in effect for this Friday event from the southwest into the
Golden Horseshoe. Amounts of 15 to 20 centimetres are likely with
locally more possible near the west end of Lake Ontario. Somewhat
lesser amounts are expected across ski country into Ottawa.
There are strong indications of another significant storm on Sunday.
It may very well be similar to the Friday storm with strong easterly
winds and heavy snow possibly followed by a wintery mix of ice
pellets, freezing rain or rain for some locales.
Total accumulations from the Wednesday, Friday and Sunday events may
reach 50 centimetres in some areas. The cumulative effects of these
three storms will make travel over this pre-Christmas period very
difficult at times. Stay tuned for Environment Canada updates on
This developing situation.
Listen for further statements. Additional information may also be
found by consulting the latest public forecast. The next public
forecast will be issued by 5.00 AM.
END/OSPC