Blustery conditions are predicted for Tuesday in Waterloo region, Guelph, and Wellington County, with blowing snow expected to be a significant factor. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a yellow weather advisory due to anticipated winds reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h in Waterloo region. Both Guelph and Wellington County are currently under a snow squall warning.
The combination of strong winds and snow squalls is likely to cause “considerably reduced visibility, especially in exposed areas” like roads adjacent to agricultural fields. Although there may be intermittent lake effect snow from Lake Huron affecting the region, the snowfall amounts are not projected to be substantial. The weather alert indicates that the winds are anticipated to diminish by this evening.
In Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, snow events have been officially declared. Residents are urged to refrain from parking on city streets until snow plows have had a chance to clear the snow. Cambridge recently announced an extension of its snow event until Thursday at noon.
City officials in Cambridge mention that snowplows are actively working to clear the roads, following a priority schedule where main roads are cleared first and residential streets are attended to subsequently. Typically, residential roads are not salted, resulting in snow accumulation on the surface. The snow events in Waterloo and Kitchener have been prolonged until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
Wilmot and Woolwich townships have also declared significant weather events, cautioning residents that it may take some time to clear both roads and sidewalks.
The weather advisory for Tuesday comes on the heels of a winter storm that swept through the region on Sunday and Monday, bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, snow, and strong winds. The forecast for Tuesday includes some snow, with a daytime high of -6°C. The wind chill is expected to make it feel more like -21°C in the morning and then -14°C in the afternoon.
Overnight, additional flurries are forecasted with a possibility of snow squalls. The temperature is expected to drop to -7°C, with the wind chill making it feel more like -14°C. Looking ahead to Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, there is a chance of flurries and a risk of snow squalls, with a high of -5°C and the wind chill making it feel more like -13°C.