Winter storm headed our way

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

Winter storm on Saturday.

A low pressure system developing over Southern Alberta will head east and track across Northern Ontario Saturday.

A southwest flow ahead of this system will be bringing a surge of warmer air to the region resulting in a wintery mix of precipitation for Northern Ontario.

For areas north of the Minnesota border from the Lake of the Woods to Thunder Bay and Superior North: snow is forecast to begin tonight with 2-5 cm of accumulation possible before the snow becomes mixed with or transitions to ice pellets Saturday morning.

There will also be a risk of freezing rain late Saturday morning or early afternoon, primarily for areas near the Lake Superior shore.

For the swath of Northern Ontario extending from the Manitoba border near Kenora and Red Lake to the Quebec border near Little Abitibi: snow is forecast to begin tonight over the northwest and Saturday morning in the east and is expected to remain primarily snow with general snowfall amounts in the 5 to 10 cm range.

For areas well north of superior, including Armstrong and Nakina towards Fraserdale, there is some indication that snowfall amounts could be higher, possibly reaching 15 cm.

For Northeastern Ontario: precipitation is expected to begin as snow Saturday with snowfall amounts of 2-5 cm possible before temperatures rise above the freezing mark.

Snow could become mixed with ice pellets or freezing rain before ending or changing to light rain.

Poor winter travelling conditions are expected across Northern Ontario.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution as untreated surfaces may become snow covered and/or slippery.

Environment Canada meteorologists are watching the development of this system closely and will issue further statements or alerts as needed.

Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca

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