A winter storm that blew through the Prairie provinces is making its way to Ontario and Quebec, with up to 30 centimetres of snow expected to hit some regions, coupled with wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued storm warnings for several prairie regions on Dec. 17, including cities such as Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. Snow and high winds caused highway closures and accidents, including a widespread pileup and delay involving 80 to 100 cars near Calgary.
The agency has issued similar storm warnings for parts of northern Ontario and Quebec, as the storm heads east over the next few days.
Areas that fall under the weather warnings include much of northwestern Quebec and the Ontario municipalities of Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmons, Sudbury, and North Bay.
“Northerly winds gusting 50 to 60 km/h will result in blowing snow beginning this morning,” ECCC said in a Dec. 18 weather advisory. The agency noted that the heavy snow and strong winds may lead to zero visibility in some areas.
Environment Canada said conditions near the Ontario-Manitoba border are expected to clear by late afternoon and into the evening.
The agency warns that roads and walkways could still be slippery, and road closures are possible.
Storm Aftermath
On Dec. 17 the weather system kept police busy in the Prairies, dealing with dozens of collisions due to very icy conditions. One major route in Alberta saw police respond to a widespread pileup and delay involving 80 to 100 cars, closing the Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Calgary and Airdrie.Manitoba says several roads outside of Winnipeg remain closed due to blizzard conditions.
In Saskatchewan, the RCMP said it received 82 reports of vehicle collision and 25 weather and traffic reports across the province between 4 p.m. local time on Dec. 17 and 7 a.m. on Dec. 18.
“These were reports of tractor-trailer units unable to drive up a hill, icy roads that need to be sanded and vehicles pulled over on the side of the road to let the weather pass,” RCMP said in a news release. Mounties also noted that the numbers do not reflect possible abandoned or stuck vehicles or collisions that officers found while out on other calls.
RCMP has advised travellers to check the Highway Hotline before heading out, and to slow down and use caution.
“If travel is not essential, wait until road conditions along your route improve before driving. If travel is necessary, stay on roads that have recently received road maintenance,” RCMP said.
