Forecast: more snow!

Storm watch in effect for the Kingston area. Can you say "Gangie can’t wait to be on that plane to Cuba?" LOL

My week is rushed with last minute things so I may not get by to visit all of your photos before our return mid February.

For those in the "storm watch" area…stay warm!

Thanks to the Weather Network for this tidbit:

Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for parts of southern Ontario in advance of a massive storm that’s set to dump up to 40 cm of snow on some areas on Wednesday.

It’s the first time since March 1993 that such a widespread blizzard warning has been issued in the region.

The definition of a blizzard has recently changed.

Isabel Ruddick with Environment Canada said the organization began reviewing the criteria for what constitutes a blizzard in June 2010 and created a new official definition.

“The main idea was to harmonize the warnings and criteria across the country so that we would deliver a consistent warning program to Canadians,” she said in an email.
Blizzards are characterized mainly by strong winds

Environment Canada issues winter storm watches and warnings when 25 or more centimetres of snow are expected to fall within a 24-hour period or when snowfall is combined with other severe winter weather, including freezing rain, strong winds and extreme cold.

Blizzards are characterized mainly by strong winds — specifically, winds that are expected to reduce visibility to 400 meters or less in combination with falling snow for at least four hours.

Environment Canada currently applies that criteria to storms anywhere in Canada south of the tree line. North of the tree line (the northernmost portion of the territories, northern Quebec and Labrador), the criteria is the same, but the conditions have to be expected to last for at least six hours.

Under the old definition, a storm would have to pack winds of 50 kilometers per hour or more, visibility of one kilometer or less, and windchill values of -25°C or lower to be considered a blizzard.

and this from Environment Canada

Kingston – Odessa – Frontenac Islands
10:07 PM EST Tuesday 01 February 2011
Winter storm warning for
Kingston – Odessa – Frontenac Islands continued

Major winter storm tonight into groundhog day.

The major storm which was born in Texas late Monday is tracking northeast across Indiana accompanied by a huge shield of wintery precipitation. Heavy snow has arrived in Southwestern Ontario this evening and will quickly spread northeast to the greater Toronto area shortly after after midnight and into Eastern Ontario by Wednesday morning. Widespread total snowfall amounts of 20 to 30 centimetres are likely before the snow begins to lighten up early Wednesday morning in the southwest..Later in the morning for Toronto and late in the day for the east.

In addition brisk northeast winds of 30 to 50 km/h will accompany the snow..Creating frequent whiteout conditions.

Places such as Stratford..Kitchener..And Toronto will get near blizzard conditions overnight and Wednesday morning and it is quite possible that a blizzard warning may be issued for these regions.

The snow will likely mix with ice pellets and some freezing rain for awhile tonight for regions near Lake Erie. A few claps of thunder are also quite possible. This will be the first Major winter storm of the season for the Toronto area..And the strongest storm of the season for many regions outside the traditional snow belts. It will have a major impact on travel with considerable blowing and drifting snow and dangerously low to nil visibilities in whiteout conditions.

This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

Motorists should be prepared to change plans accordingly to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm as conditions will be dangerous. If driving is necessary..Make sure you have an emergency kit..And if your car gets stuck..Remain calm and remain in your car.

Environment Canada continues to monitor this dangerous winter storm and will issue further watches and warnings as necessary.

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