The latest on area storm watches and warnings

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

**************************
Winter storm warning in effect for:
    •    Little Abitibi - Kesagami Lake
    •    Timmins - Cochrane - Iroquois Falls
    •    Kirkland Lake - Englehart
    •    Gogama - Foleyet

Hazardous winter conditions are expected with heavy snow and blowing snow beginning overnight tonight, continuing through Sunday and tapering off Monday.

Total snowfall amounts of 25 to 30 cm are expected.

Strong and gusty winds are expected to develop Sunday.

As a result, reductions to visibility are likely in areas of blowing snow.

Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.

Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Winter storm watch in effect for:
    •    Chapleau - Missinaibi Lake
    •    Fraserdale - Pledger Lake
    •    Kapuskasing - Hearst - Smooth Rock Falls
    •    Moosonee

Hazardous winter conditions are possible due to heavy snow and blowing snow beginning very early Sunday morning and continuing into early Monday.

The snow may be heavy at times with snowfall amounts expected to be in the 10 to 20 cm range by Sunday night.

Additionally, strong and gusty winds are possible, especially on Sunday afternoon and evening, which would result in areas of blowing snow.

There is still some uncertainty regarding the evolution and track of this weather system.

Small changes in the expected evolution would result in changes to snowfall accumulations.

Alerts for heavy snow and or blowing snow may be required.

Environment Canada meteorologists are monitoring this situation closely.

Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.

Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations.

Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

For information on emergency plans and kits go to here.

Special weather statement in effect for:
    •    New Liskeard - Temagami

A significant rainfall is expected late today and tonight followed by a significant snowfall Sunday.

Rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm will be possible over some areas before temperatures drop and rain changes to snow.

There will be a chance of some brief freezing rain during the transition.

Sunday's snowfall amounts are expected to be in the 10 to 15 cm range.

In addition, strong and gusty winds forecast to develop on Sunday will likely cause blowing snow and reductions to visibility.

There is still some uncertainty in the development of this weather system.

Small changes in the storm track could result in significant changes to expected rainfall and snowfall amounts.

Snowfall and/or rainfall warnings may be required. Environment Canada meteorologists will continue to monitor this event closely.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports to #ONStorm.

**************************