Some initial snowfall numbers are in from the squalls in the Grey Bruce region over the weekend.
Environment Canada Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, their weather observation site in Owen Sound recorded a total of 25.4 centimetres of snowfall. Meanwhile, the observation site in Wiarton recorded 20.6 centimetres over the three days.
“I think it is pretty typical for a lake effect snow event,” says Coulson. “In Wiarton itself, the Friday was the biggest snowfall with 12 centimetres being picked up. At the Owen Sound site, it was during the day on Sunday into early morning hours on Monday, where the most snow was picked up at 14 centimetres.”
Coulson was not able to say how much snowfall hit Saugeen Shores and Kincardine areas as they do not have any monitoring sites outside Owen Sound and Wiarton. He adds it is likely these areas saw similar snowfall amounts to Owen Sound.
He says the Bruce Peninsula continues to experience poor visibility and a fair amount of lake effect snow as a result of the current wind direction, which he expects will shift back towards Owen Sound.
Coulson says the arctic air from the arctic circle which hit the region over the weekend is affecting much of the country.
“Everyone is experiencing this cold air and one of those tangible effects that we are seeing is extensive periods of lake effect snow over the relatively open waters of the Great Lakes,” says Coulson. “The activity that we are seeing over the last few days is expected to continue probably at least until Thursday morning in the area.”
He adds the upcoming windchill could reach as low as minus 20 to 25 degrees. The near-term concern is the potential for more snow squall warnings, localized poor visibility and localized heavy accumulations in the coming days.
“The snow squall warning that is currently in effect for the Owen Sound area will likely remain in effect over the course of the next few days as we see continuations of this very cold air moving over the relatively warm and open waters of Lake Huron,” says Coulson.
He says by Sunday, however, they do see a shift in the weather pattern back to seasonal temperatures and potentially above seasonal temperatures later next week.
He advises residents make sure they dress warmly, keep an emergency kit in their home and vehicle and to stay on top of the latest forecasts and warnings.
