Updated at 1:36 p.m.: Environment Canada has upgraded the snow squall watch it issued this morning for the Greater Sudbury region to a warning.
Snow squalls are now occurring in bands stretching across the region. Under the snow squall bands, heavy snow will greatly reduce visibility. Expect blowing snow and a heavy accumulation of snow, as the squalls continue today and into tonight. Some 10 to 15 cm of snow are likely in the areas with the strongest snow squalls, namely from western Manitoulin Island northeast to just west of Sudbury.
Environment Canada expects the squall will begin to shift south tonight, moving out of the region by tomorrow morning.
Original story
Batten down the hatches and grab your shovels, folks. Environment Canada has issued a snow squall watch for the Greater Sudbury area.
Under the snow squall bands, visibility will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snowfall combined with blowing snow. Expect the white stuff to accumulate quickly on the ground.
Environment Canada said to expect the squalls to develop in the late morning, with snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm per 12 hours possible in the strongest snow squalls before they shift south early Thursday afternoon.
Current indications suggest that the heaviest snow squalls will remain south and west of the city, Environment Canada reports. However, the nature of squalls means weather conditions will vary considerably across the region. Changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.
Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Sudbury.com will continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports to #ONStorm.
