8:30 p.m. update on snowsquall warnings

The following snowsquall warning was issued at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday for Searchmont - Montreal River Harbour - Batchawana Bay - Agawa - Lake Superior Park - Wawa - Pukaskwa Park - Chapleau - Missinaibi Lake - Elliot Lake - Ranger Lake

Similar warnings are in effect today for much of Northwestern Ontario.

************************* Reduced visibilities. Significant snowfall amount and blowing snow in snowsqualls tonight and Wednesday.

This is a warning that snowsqualls are imminent or occurring in these regions.

Monitor weather conditions. Listen for updated statements.

A quasi-stationary low pressure system over extreme Far Northern Ontario tonight will continue to bring winterlike weather to many parts of the far north region tonight and Wednesday.

An area of snow heavy at times associated with this storm has dropped about 15 to 25 centimetres of snow over the Red Lake to Sioux Lookout area earlier.

The area of snow has moved northeastward with the low.

Heavy snow will affect the Pickle Lake to Webequie to Big Trout Lake area tonight.

Strong blustery winds have developed behind this low pressure system so local near zero visibilities in blowing snow especially over areas that received higher snowfall amounts is possible for tonight.

In the central Ontario area

Additionally, in the wake of this intense Northern Ontario storm, a westerly flow is bringing a surge of Arctic air over Lake Superior tonight.

Off lake flurries mixed with a few showers are developing into snowsqualls this evening as the temperature drops and the atmosphere becomes more favourable for snowsqualls to form.

These conditions should persist through Wednesday night.

Local snow amounts of 10 to 20 centimetres are expected under the most intense squalls especially over areas further inland and over higher elevations by Thursday morning.

Near zero visibilities in occasional heavy snow bursts and blowing snow will cause dangerous driving conditions.

Since the flow off the lake is expected to be westerly, it is expected that the most intense snowsquall activity will occur across the Montreal River area - affecting the southern portion of Chapleau-Missinaibi lake region and the northwestern portion of Elliot Lake-Ranger Lake region excluding the town of Elliot Lake.

Environment Canada will continue to monitor this situation closely and issue the appropriate weather watches and warnings when needed.

Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details.

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