Snow squall warnings for southwestern Ontario

Snow squalls swept through southwestern Ontario on Friday.

Environment Canada issued warning for all communities between Waterloo Region, Guelph, Elmira, Elora, Fergus and Rockwood.

The agency predicted a total snowfall of 15 to 20 centimetres.

“A burst of heavy snow and blowing snow is expected [Friday] afternoon as snow squalls push south,” Environment Canada said in their weather alert. “More stationary snow squall bands will set up [Friday] afternoon and evening, bringing higher snowfall accumulations [Friday night] into Saturday.”

Snow squall warnings have also been issued for Stratford, Woodstock, London, Grand Bend and Goderich. Those areas could get between 20 and 35 centimetres of the white stuff by Saturday night.

Communities further north and west could get as much as 60 centimetres by Saturday, including Huron East, North Perth, Mount Forest, Hanover, Saugeen Shores and Kincardine.

Wintery blast continues

Environment Canada said Kitchener-Waterloo can expect the snow squalls to continue into the weekend.

“But nothing like we’re expecting [Friday] night,” meteorologist Trudy Kidd told CTV News.

She said drivers also need to be extra cautious on the roads.

“When people are heading out, they need to be prepared and know that travel conditions can change very rapidly and they can really deteriorate,” she explained. “Visibility can be near zero. The snow can come down really heavy, so anyone who's planning on traveling really needs to take their time.”

Kidd suggested postponing plans if possible.

“If you can’t, make sure you take your time,” she said. “Be patient. It wouldn’t hurt to pack an emergency kit as well.”

City and regional response

The City of Kitchener said, even before the snow starts to fall, they are monitoring the weather forecast and looking for opportunities to be proactive with anti-icing, when the weather permits.

“This makes the roads easier to plow and reduces the amount of salt needed to de-ice the road system when the snow starts,” explained a city spokesperson in a statement to CTV News.

The Region of Waterloo said crews are always ready for the next snowfall.

They’re asking the public to stay away from snowplows as they work to clear the roads and are reminding drivers to never pass one.

“Once the snowfall ends, it may take an additional three to four hours to clean the snow off the roads,” a spokesperson for the Region of Waterloo said in a statement.

Making the most of it

Some are choosing to embrace the snowy weather.

Matt Morris, a sculptor in Waterloo, made a snow hippo in his front yard.

A snow sculpture of a hippo by Matt Morris. (Provided)

“This is non-packing snow,” he explained. “I pack it in. I pounded into the forms that I have, and I let it sit, or bond together for a few hours, and then it becomes a beautiful medium.”

Morris said it has been a great winter season so far.

“We all of a sudden got this surprise big dump of snow. It was unexpected,” he said.

- With reporting by Heather Senoran