Heavy snow is falling in parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario on Wednesday as a major winter storm moves eastward through the provinces.
Wind and snow are also picking up in northwestern Ontario. Environment Canada is warning of heavy rainfall in the Thunder Bay area later on Wednesday, adding that road closures were also possible in northern Ontario, as the storm shifts east.
Environment Canada says communities outside of the areas where snowfall warnings have been issued will also be affected by the storm. Although they will likely see lesser snowfall, "conditions will likely be difficult," including the potential for reduced visibility.In Saskatchewan, the blizzard is expected to gradually ease overnight into Thursday, with winds tapering off. Snow will likely continue, but will not be as severe as on Wednesday, Environment Canada said.
In northern Ontario, snow could fall at a rate of up to four centimetres per hour on Wednesday night, with strong wind gusts of up to 70 km/h. Blowing snow means visibility could be near zero, Environment Canada warned. Its forecast predicts a wind chill of -11 C in Kenora on Wednesday night.What to expect as major storm hits Saskatchewan, Manitoba and OntarioThe Weather Network's Nicole Karkic on what to expect as a storm batters three provinces this week.
As the weight of the snow and strength of the winds increased, Manitoba Hydro was reporting a number of power outages throughout the south.The company says it has put all staff in the storm zone — from front-line workers to back-end and IT staff — on notice that they might be needed, and has plans in place to quickly deploy crews from Winnipeg to any particularly hard-hit areas.
Hydro One, one of northern Ontario's two electricity operators, said it was preparing for possible outages in the same areas that were"We are urging customers to be prepared in case of an extended power outage ... Poor driving conditions and road closures may delay power outage restoration efforts," Hydro One said in a statement on its website.
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