Environment Canada has upgraded its advisory of an approaching snow storm to a winter storm warning for all of Durham Region.
The National Weather Service replaced its winter storm watch with a warning just before 5 a.m. on Feb. 22 for Pickering, Oshawa and southern Durham Region, as well Uxbridge, Beaverton and the remainder of North Durham.
It’s expected that a winter storm will begin late Wednesday, bringing snow — heavy at times — and ice pellets, totalling near 15 cm. Accumulations may be lower in areas toward Lake Ontario that experience a greater period of mixing with ice pellets and freezing rain.
There is also a risk of freezing rain and light ice accretion is possible, especially toward Lake Ontario.
Environment Canada says that light snow will become heavy at times late this afternoon or early this evening. There’s also a chance the snow may mix with ice pellets and freezing rain tonight. The wintry mix is expected to taper off early Thursday morning to patchy freezing drizzle.
Another wintry mix of precipitation is possible Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening, adds Environment Canada.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas,” warned the National Weather Service.
Environment Canada also advised that there may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.