Environment Canada upgrades forecast to storm warning for Kingston and area

As cities across Ontario and upstate New York brace for snow and rain, Environment Canada has updated its weather alerts for Kingston and the region from its previous special weather statement.

At 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning applicable to the Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, Consecon, Picton and Sandbanks Park areas. The warning indicates a “major winter storm expected” for Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24, 2022.

“Travelling will be dangerous,” the statement said, warning of potentially damaging wind gusts of 100 to 120 km/h that could result in “widespread blowing snow that will at times reduce visibility to near zero.”

Other potential hazards from the storm include snowfall levels of 2 to 6 inches by early Saturday morning, as well as wind chill readings of nearly -20C and possible flash freezing “creating icy and slippery surfaces.”

“Blizzard conditions and higher snowfall levels are possible near Lake Ontario as a result of snow gusts,” Environment Canada said.

According to the national weather agency, damaging winds and widespread blowing snow could develop on Friday afternoon and continue into Saturday, with current rain conditions changing to snow on Friday afternoon and then tapering to flurries on Saturday morning.

“Snow may continue into Sunday in areas where snow gusts occur,” the warning said.

Very cold wind chill readings will develop late Friday and continue into the weekend, with a possibility of flash freezing Friday afternoon, Environment Canada said.

“Precipitation is expected to begin as rain or snow in the early evening before turning to rain overnight for many areas. Rain warnings have been issued. Temperatures will plummet Friday afternoon, bringing possible flash frosts. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by damaging winds, intermittent heavy snow and widespread blowing snow. Blizzard conditions may develop late Friday for locations near Lake Ontario as a result of snow gusts,” the alert said.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. In heavy snowfall and blowing snow, visibility is suddenly reduced to almost zero at times. If you have poor visibility while driving, slow down, watch for taillights, and stop.”

More information on how the storm is expected to affect local waterways and/or local flooding can be found here.

In the meantime, Environment Canada’s rain warning for the same areas for the evening of Thursday, December 22, 2022 remains in effect.

In the north, a winter storm warning and a rain warning are also in place for the Tamworth, Sydenham, South Frontenac, Stirling, Tweed and Madoc areas, with rainfall totals of 20 to 30mm in the forecast, which includes “rainfall combined with melting snow.” This activity begins Thursday evening , December 22, 2022, and lasts until Friday evening.

“Rain turns to snow on Friday afternoon. A winter storm warning is in effect,” the rain warning suggests. “Local flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”

This winter storm warning indicates that a severe winter storm is expected north of the city on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24, 2022, mirroring most of the previous warning.

“Precipitation is expected to begin as rain or snow in the early evening before turning to rain overnight for many areas. Rain warnings have been issued for some locations. Temperatures will plummet Friday afternoon, bringing possible flash frosts. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by damaging winds, intermittent heavy snow and widespread blowing snow. Total snow amounts of 10 to 20 cm are expected before Saturday morning’s snow turns into flurries,” Environment Canada said, noting that wind gusts could reach 90 km/h in these areas.

Those in the above areas are also being told to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. “During heavy snowfall and blowing snow, visibility is suddenly reduced to almost zero at times. If you have poor visibility while driving, slow down, watch for taillights, and stop.”

For all of these areas, Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to create an emergency plan and stock an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medication, a first aid kit and a flashlight, according to Environment Canada. More information on contingency plans and kits can be found here.