There will be no fears of a green Christmas in the Upper Ottawa Valley this year as a winter storm arrived in the area overnight, dropping 10-15 cm of wet snow over the region.
Environment Canada is predicting another 5-10 cm throughout the day Friday, with wind gusts picking up this afternoon and the temperature dropping from zero to minus-16C overnight.
Saturday we’re expected to see flurries as the temperature stays low, with a high of minus-7C and wind chills of minus-12 to minus-17C.
Both Renfrew County and the town of Deep River issued declarations of a “significant weather event” Thursday before the storm arrived.
Deep River road crews were out through the night keeping the main roads plowed, with ongoing cleanup Friday morning.
The town urged residents to heed winter parking regulations and keep their vehicles off the streets, and to have “patience”.
“This is a long duration event with significant snow, rain and drifting forecasted. Please have patience, and if possible, stay off the roads during and immediately following the event so that Town staff can efficiently clear the streets and sidewalks.”
The province’s road condition network, Ontario 511, is reporting no road closures through the Ottawa Valley, although road conditions are listed as “snow covered” as far west as North Bay and east to Cobden.
Environment Canada says travel “will become hazardous and is not advised.”
“As a cold front pushes through the area this afternoon, rapidly falling temperatures and wind gusts to 70 km/h will result in local blowing snow,” the agency says in its latest storm warning for the area.
“Snow and local blowing snow will persist into Saturday. Snow squalls will develop for some locations tonight and continue through Saturday.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
“Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.”
For information on emergency plans and kits go to www.getprepared.gc.ca.
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