Snow squall watch for Kingston and area

Environment Canada has issued a Snow Squall Watch for Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Island, Napanee, Consecon, Picton and Sandbanks Park.

“Conditions are favourable for a prolonged period of significant lake effect snow squalls off of Lake Ontario Thursday night through this weekend. Extremely dangerous travel is expected within these snow squalls,” Environment Canada said in the advisory.

The national weather service expects local snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 cm by Sunday morning, with higher amounts possible in the most persistent snow squalls. “Visibilities may be reduced to near zero in heavy snow and local blowing snow,” Environment Canada continued.

According to Environment Canada,, the adverse weather is expected to occur on Thursday night through to early Sunday morning, and snow squalls may drift south of the area for a time on Friday before lifting back north Friday night into Saturday. “An intense snow squall is expected to develop over Lake Ontario Thursday night and may impact parts of Prince Edward County to Kingston through Friday morning, and again Friday night into Saturday.”

“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common,” Environment Canada said. “Road closures are possible. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone. 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.”