Christmas Day storm update (videos)

The following special weather statement was issued this morning by Environment Canada for Sault Ste. Marie and other parts of Northern Ontario.

We've also included a hazardous weather outlook for the Eastern Upper Peninsula and other parts of Northern Michigan released by the U.S. National Weather Service.

SooToday.com advises that a freezing rain warning is in effect today for North Bay - Powassan - Mattawa.

Winter storm watches are also in effect for much of Northwestern Ontario.

The YouTube videos above show the weather in Duluth, Minnesota, where 18 inches of snow fell yesterday and many vehicles are reported stuck in four-to-five-foot-high snow drifts - and in Oklahoma, where a TV reporter who strikes us as a bit too much of a do-gooder reprimands local drivers for facing the storm in flip-flops and clogs.

This is the weather system that is currently moving into our area.

************************* Special weather statement issued for Geraldton - Manitouwadge - Hornepayne - Nipigon - Marathon - Superior North - Wawa - White River - Pukaskwa - Sault Ste. Marie - Superior East - Kapuskasing - Hearst - Timmins - Cochrane - Greater Sudbury and vicinity - Chapleau - Gogama - Kirkland Lake - New Liskeard - Temagami - Elliot Lake - Ranger Lake - Manitoulin - Northshore - Killarney North Bay - West Nipissing.

Winter storm will bring snow and possibly freezing rain tonight into Boxing Day.

A winter storm from the Central United States is moving slowly northwards towards the upper Great Lakes.

Snow associated with this storm is creating havoc over the Central United States with snow and blowing snow.

The snow has already reached Northwestern Ontario extending from Lake of The Woods to Thunder Bay where a winter storm watch is now in effect.

For regions east of Lake Superior including sault st Marie, Sudbury and North Bay.

The main band of snow will start sometime tonight.

For regions in Kirkland Lake, Timmins and Kapuskasing snow will start Saturday early morning.

Snow may be accompanied by ice pellets and freezing rain.

Only a few centimetres are expected by Saturday morning with more snow to come over the weekend, however there is a possibility that significant freezing rain may form over the area tonight and into Boxing Day morning.

A freezing rain warning has been issued for North Bay region.

Environment Canada will continue to monitor this developing situation closely.

Freezing rain warnings may be extended to other areas as needed later on.

Listen for further statements.

Additional information may also be found by consulting the latest public forecast.

************************* YHIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN, EASTERN UPPER MICHIGAN AND ADJACENT NEARSHORE WATERS OF LAKE MICHIGAN,LAKE HURON AND LAKE SUPERIOR.

DAY ONE - TODAY AND TONIGHT.

ANOTHER ROUND OF FREEZING RAIN WILL IMPACT MAINLY THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF NORTHERN LOWER AND EASTERN UPPER MICHIGAN THIS CHRISTMAS DAY.

AREA ROADWAYS WILL BECOME SLIPPERY.

PLEASE SEE LATEST ADVISORIES FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

GALE FORCE WINDS WILL OCCUR OVER ALL OF THE GREAT LAKES TODAY AND INTO THIS EVENING.

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN - SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

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