Environment Canada warns Niagara Region could get up to 60 cm of snow

Environment Canada is warning residents in southern Ontario – including the Niagara Region – to prepare for up to 60 cm of snow.

The weather agency has issued alerts for multiple regions, such as Barrie, Parry Sound-Muskoka, Niagara and Kingston-Prince Edward County.

It says snow squalls could form off Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Georgian Bay Thursday night through Sunday for extended periods.

In a tweet Thursday, a Niagara Region official said workers are preparing the roads and bridges.

Snow is coming #Niagara and we’re ready for it! ❄

We’ve treated roads with brine, and trucks are on standby to salt and plow as needed.

Reminder that we take care of Regional roads/bridges. Local streets/sidewalks are maintained by your city/town and highways by the province.

— Niagara Region (@NiagaraRegion) November 17, 2022

Local snowfall amounts range from 15 to 25 cm by Friday afternoon in Barrie, to 30 to 60 cm by Sunday in other regions, including Simcoe, Grey-Bruce and Niagara.

The weather agency has also issued a snow squall alert for Lake Nipigon-Wabakimi in northern Ontario, saying 15 cm to 20 cm could arrive by Friday afternoon.

It says visibility may be reduced to near zero in some regions of the province due to heavy and blowing snow.