The Township of Wainfleet may declare a significant weather event when the weather forecast or actual weather conditions meet a certain criteria. News alerts will notify the public of these declarations.
What is a significant weather event?
As per the Ontario Municipal Act, a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways in which they have authority.
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.
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.
Issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30° C (degrees Celsius) for at least two hours.
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.
When freezing rain is expected to pose a hazard to transportation or property or when freezing rain is expected for at least 2 hours.
When a period of freezing drizzle is expected for at least 8 hours.
When 15 cm or more of snow falls within 12 hours or less.
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
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