4 p.m. update on area winter storm watches

Environment Canada is continuing a winter storm watch for Manitoulin Island, Espanola and Killarney.

The winter storm watch issued earlier today for Blind River and Thessalon has been canceled.

**************************** A WINTER STORM WATCH IS CONTINUED FOR MANITOULIN ISLAND AND ESPANOLA - KILLARNEY.

HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW POSSIBLE SATURDAY.

AN AREA OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW IS CURRENTLY AFFECTING THE AREA GIVING A FEW CENTIMETRES.

THE SNOW SHOULD TAPER OFF THIS EVENING BEFORE A MORE SIGNIFICANT LOW PRESSURE AREA FROM TEXAS BRINGS APPRECIABLE AMOUNTS OF SNOW STARTING OVERNIGHT AS IT MOVES TOWARDS SOUTHERN ONTARIO.

CURRENT INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT THE AXIS OF HEAVIEST SNOW WILL REMAIN IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOUTHEAST OF THE REGIONS.

HOWEVER, AMOUNTS NEAR 15 CENTIMETRES ARE STILL POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY IF THIS AXIS SHIFTS MORE NORTHWESTWARD.

IN ADDITION, BRISK NORTHERLY WINDS USHERING IN COLDER AIR MAY ALSO RESULT IN LOW VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ENDED FOR BLIND RIVER - THESSALON.

ENVIRONMENT CANADA IS MONITORING THIS SITUATION AND WILL UPDATE THIS MESSAGE AS NECESSARY.

REFER TO YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC FORECAST FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

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