Environment Canada warning of 'significant' winter storm in Vaughan and Richmond Hill as well as Newmarket, Markham and Georgina as York goes under Special Weather Statement

Heavy snow, wind and rain all expected

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 21, 2022
Kyle Marshall

A special weather statement has been issued for parts of York region by Environment Canada due to an impending winter storm.

A powerful winter storm is expected late in the week into the holiday weekend and could bring heavy winds, snow and and rain.

Affected areas are expected to be Newmarket, Georgina, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham.

“Significant winter storm expected late this week into the holiday weekend. Precipitation may begin as rain or snow late Thursday before possibly transitioning to rain in many areas early Friday,” Environment Canada said in its statement. “Temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday leading to a potential flash freeze for locations that receive rainfall.”

Rapidly dropping temperatures will be bolstered by strong to potentially damaging gusts of wind along with a likely heavy snowfall.

“Blizzard conditions are possible late Friday into the weekend for areas downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. A multi-day lake effect snow event is expected into the weekend in the wake of the system for locations east of the Great Lakes.”

Environment Canada is advising people to alter their holiday travel plans with large utility outages possible and temperatures on Friday night and into the weekend likely to be the coldest of the season yet.

Public Safety Canada is encouraging 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 http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.

While a high impact storm is expected, details surrounding wind speeds, precipitation types and amounts are still highly uncertain at this time. Please continue to monitor forecasts and alerts for your area issued by Environment Canada.