Significant Weather Events

Blizzard

When winds of 40 km/hr or greater are expected to cause widespread reductions in visibility to 400 metres or less, due to blowing snow, or blowing snow in combination with falling snow, for at least 4 hours

Blowing snow

When blowing snow, caused by winds of at least 30 km/hr, is expected to reduce visibility to 800 metres or less for at least 3 hours

Extreme cold

Issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30° C (degrees Celsius) for at least two hours

Flash freeze

When significant ice is expected to form on roads, sidewalks, or other surfaces over much of a region because of the freezing of residual water from either melted snow, or falling/fallen rain due to a rapid drop in temperature

Freezing rain

When freezing rain is expected to pose a hazard to transportation or property or when freezing rain is expected for at least 2 hours

Freezing drizzle

When a period of freezing drizzle is expected for at least 8 hours

Snow fall

When 15 cm or more of snow falls within 12 hours or less

Snow squall

When, downwind of large bodies of water, like the Great Lakes, snow squalls are imminent or occurring with one or more of the following conditions being produced:

• Localized, intense snowfall producing snowfall amounts of 15 cm or more in 12 hours or less
• Reduced visibility (less than 400 metres) caused by heavy snow with or without blowing snow for 3 hours or more

Winter storm

When severe and potentially dangerous winter weather conditions are expected, including:

• A major snowfall (25 cm or more within a 24 hour period)
• A significant snowfall (snowfall warning criteria amounts) combined with other cold weather precipitation types such as: freezing rain, strong winds, blowing snow and/or extreme cold
• Blizzard conditions may be part of an intense winter storm, in which case a blizzard warning is issued instead of a winter storm warning