Midwestern Ontarians are being told to stay home if they don't have to be out on Monday.
The advice comes as the region is set to be pummeled by snow squalls, blizzard-like conditions, and potentially damaging winds.
According to Environment Canada, the blast of winter weather will begin when a cold front moves in Monday morning, bringing an initial brief, intense snow squall that will dump a quick 5 centimetres as the temperature rapidly drops. Lake effect snow off Lake Huron will follow with 25 to 50 centimetres of snow possible before squalls ease to flurries on Tuesday afternoon.
"Widespread blowing snow and blizzard conditions will be the primary concern as northwesterly wind gusts of 70 to 90 kilometres an hour," Environment Canada said.
The strong winds could snap tree limbs, damage roofs, fences, and soft shelters as well as lead to power outages.
An orange level snow squall warning and a yellow level wind warning are in effect for midwestern Ontario.
"Travel will likely be extremely hazardous and some routes will likely be impassable," the national weather agency stated. "Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Road closures are likely. Prolonged, widespread utility outages are likely."
Drivers are being told to prepare for extremely dangerous travel conditions.
Huron County, Perth County, the Municipality of West Grey, the Town of Saugeen Shores, and the townships of Huron-Kinloss and Georgian Bluffs have all declared significant weather events. The declaration is not a notice of a reduction in the level of service, but an advisory that it could take crews longer to clear roads and sidewalks.
