Storm alert upgraded to ‘warning’ with up to 30 cm expected from Pickering to Clarington

A weather alert for tonight’s winter storm has been upgraded to a snowfall warning and the expected accumulation of the white stuff has been bumped up to as much as 30 cm, with up to six cm an hour possible.

The snowfall is expected to be heavier in the lakeshore communities (30 cm) than in northern Durham (25 cm), a reversal of the usual trend.

The exact timing of the storm is still unclear but the snow will be here Friday evening, quickly becoming heavy, and continue until Saturday morning. The rapidly accumulating snow will create hazardous travel conditions and the snow, in combination with strong easterly winds, will lead to significantly reduced visibility – near zero at times – and treacherous conditions for drivers as well as pedestrians.