Winter travel advisories as first accumulating snow hits parts of Ontario
Drivers, and trick-or-treaters, beware -- a winter weather travel advisory is in effect as the season's first snowfall hits northern Ontario for Halloween on Thursday.
"Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather," warns Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the advisory.
General snowfall amounts of 5-10 cm of snow are expected over most areas from Wawa to Timmins, with the chance for freezing rain and ice pellets to mix in, as well.
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The snow will likely be poorly timed for trick-or-treaters, so the extra layers and snow boots will be a much needed accessory for costumes. Drivers are also urged to adjust to the changing conditions, especially with it being the first snowfall of the season, and one that could slick up roads and surfaces in a hurry.
Be sure to stay up-to-date on the weather warnings in your area, and brace for the changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
Snow and ice make for a scary Halloween forecast
Rain pushed into the region on Wednesday night, with conditions set to take a more wintry spin as Thursday progresses.
From Thunder Bay, along the shores of Lake Superior, and up through Timmins, the rain will be transitioning to snow just as the trick-or-treaters head out on Thursday evening.
There may even be some patchy freezing rain or ice pellets added to the wintry mix on Thursday afternoon and evening, particularly for areas from Wawa to Timmins.
While it is still uncertain exactly how much snow will accumulate because of the mixed precipitation, between 5-10 cm is possible in areas that see the heaviest snow. Local amounts could reach 15 cm.
"Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly," says ECCC.
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Through the evening hours, temperatures will be falling, and with a gusty northeast wind, it will feel like -5 to -10.
Snow is expected to taper to flurries by Friday morning, with a widespread cooldown expected across the province heading into the first weekend of November.
Conditions will turn much warmer from west to east into early next week, but an active pattern will return with a couple more Texas lows tracking across the region with more rain and windy conditions.
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Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across northern Ontario
