A snowfall warning has been issued for Thunder Bay and the surrounding Superior West area, predicting significant snow accumulation. Environment and Climate Change Canada has indicated that between 15 and 25 centimeters of snow is expected. This warning, classified as yellow-level, was announced on Monday afternoon, underlining a moderate impact with high forecast confidence.
Snowfall Timing and Areas Affected
Snowfall will begin overnight on Monday and extend into Tuesday. Areas expected to be affected include:
- City of Thunder Bay
- Cloud Bay – Dorion
- Marathon – Schreiber
- Nipigon – Rossport
- Wawa – Pukaskwa Park
The warning references an Alberta Clipper system that is moving east and will impact Wawa by late Tuesday morning. Residents should prepare for windy conditions, with gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Recent Snow Accumulations
Thunder Bay has experienced considerable snowfall recently, with nearly 40 centimeters recorded last week alone. Between Wednesday and Friday, a total of 39 centimeters was documented. So far in February, the area has seen 46 centimeters of snow, significantly higher than the monthly average of 26.9 centimeters.
Advice for Residents
Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, advises residents to brace for heavy snowfall and poor travel conditions on Tuesday. Key safety tips include:
- Drive cautiously and slow down.
- Maintain a safe distance between vehicles for extra stopping distance.
The snowfall warning specifies that roads and walkways may become difficult to navigate and warns of quickly changing travel conditions. Residents are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys.
Looking Ahead
As the region approaches March, Coulson cautions against expecting an early spring. Light flurries are anticipated in the upcoming days. He emphasizes that March remains a winter month in northwestern Ontario, suggesting that more storm systems are likely to arrive in the weeks ahead.
