TORONTO (680 NEWS) — Strong winds are wreaking havoc across much of southern Ontario. Hydro One is reporting “a significant number of outages” as more than 30,000 customers have been left without power as a result of the intense high wind storm. The utility says it has put crews and support staff in areas predicted to be hardest hit in order to assess any damage and respond to any outages as quickly and as safely as possible. So far the Toronto area has been spared any serious damage with Toronto Hydro reporting sporadic outages across the city. Wind gusts of 97 km/h have already been recorded out at Pearson International Airport and Environment Canada warns winds could potentially reach 120 km/h near the east end of Lake Erie and over Prince Edward County near Lake Ontario. Strong winds in the Niagara region have forced the closure of the Niagara River Parkway due to ice getting pushed over the retaining wall from the lake. @NiagParksPolice advising that @NiagaraParks Roads Department closing Niagara River Parkway near Mathers Arch. Strong winds blowing ice over the retaining wall from the lake. Drive with caution. Video courtesy @NiagRegPolice Insp. Garvey…. pic.twitter.com/RdXh5HYxfx — Niagara Parks Police (@NiagParksPolice) February 24, 2019 Pearson Airport is reporting more than 280 flights have been cancelled so far. They recommend checking your flight status before heading out. Snow is expected to begin falling in the GTA later this evening and coupled with the high winds, could produce snow squalls and lake effect snow in some areas. “We could see accumulations of 5 cm by Monday morning and through the Monday morning drive, blowing and drifting snow is still a possibility,” said 680 NEWS weather specialist Denise Andreacchi.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A special weather statement is in effect for all of southern Ontario. Environment Canada issued the statement Friday morning, ahead of a weather event expected to begin on Sunday. Officials say damaging wind gusts up to 110 km/h are expected to develop Sunday afternoon across the province. Environment Canada says areas near the Great Lakes are more likely to experience winds at the higher end of the range. “Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur,” the weather statement reads. “Power outages are also possible.” The strong winds will persist through Sunday night and gradually weaken on Monday. Story continues below advertisement The weather agency says some areas could see freezing rain ahead of the wind gusts on Saturday. Some regions could also see flurries and blowing snow on Sunday afternoon. Officials say between five and 10 cm of snow is possible by Monday morning in some areas. Environment Canada says travel may become hazardous as the fresh snow is whipped up by the strong winds, causing reduced visibility and white-out conditions. Officials also warn that surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. According to Environment Canada, there is still some uncertainty regarding the track of this low-pressure system originating in Texas.<doc-sep>Share this Story: Violent wind storm and snow expected to affect Ontario until Monday night Violent wind storm and snow expected to affect Ontario until Monday night Meteorologists predict Canada will see spring after three more weeks of winter Photo by Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia Article content Violent winds, blowing snow and icy roads have gotten so bad in Ontario even some snow plows have to stay off the roads. In some places like Port Colborne, Ont. winds were clocked at 126 km/h. OPP in Collingwood put out a statement warning drivers to stay off the roads because conditions were too dangerous for the snow plows. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Violent wind storm and snow expected to affect Ontario until Monday night Back to video The extreme high winds and snow plaguing most of Ontario today with power outages and flying patio furniture will continue until Monday night. ADVISORY: All plows in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Stayner and surrounding areas are no longer operating due to extreme weather. Many side roads are closed. Please avoid traveling if possible. ^kw — OPPCommunicationsCR (@OPP_COMM_CR) February 25, 2019 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Hydro One reports it’s “responding to a significant number of outages across South Western Ontario caused by an intense high wind storm.” A total of 27,000 customers are affected across the province. The Hydro One storm centre map shows the area around the Niagara region had the most power outages. Winds were so violent chunks of ice blew off Lake Erie and onto the shore. @NiagParksPolice advising that @NiagaraParks Roads Department closing Niagara River Parkway near Mathers Arch. Strong winds blowing ice over the retaining wall from the lake. Drive with caution. Video courtesy @NiagRegPolice Insp. Garvey.... pic.twitter.com/RdXh5HYxfx — Niagara Parks Police (@NiagParksPolice) February 24, 2019 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Weather Network reports that drivers should expect snow to affect their travels on all major highways in southern Ontario including highway 400, 401 and the Queen Elizabeth Way. The next three weeks will feel like winter with more storms, but after that, meteorologists say spring will make its appearance across Canada. “Spring is knocking at that door and it’s coming in,” said the network’s chief meteorologist Chris Scott. “The crack in the armour of winter is showing and it’s really going to break down almost all at once through to the middle to the latter half of March.” Scott said the network is forecasting a sudden flip to spring weather in late March across Canada, but there will be some colder days interrupting the milder conditions. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The network predicts that the sharp change could also bring an increased chance of flooding to parts of the country that received a significant amount of snow in the months prior. “Winter has got a lock on the country for the next few weeks,” said Scott. “It’s not ready to let go just yet. So with this spring forecast, we’re talking about the next few weeks feeling like the middle of winter, and then a real flash of spring weather.” Ontario and Quebec Scott said Ontario and Quebec can expect more wind storms and snowfall leading into March. “We’ve really got to get through these next three weeks and then we start to see that weather pattern turn to a really strong start to spring,” said Scott. There could be an increased flood risk in northern Ontario, where there has been significant snowfall. Precipitation is expected to be average across the province along with near normal temperatures, but slightly warmer temperatures are expected in the northwest. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Normal precipitation levels are expected for Quebec, with colder than seasonal temperatures in the eastern part of the province and about normal temperatures for the rest of the province. While there may be some colder interruptions in April and May for both provinces, Scott said the significantly longer period of warm weather will be a welcome contrast to last year, which saw one of the coldest Aprils on record. British Columbia “B.C. could be the first part of the country to really taste that spring weather,” said Scott, adding that the province could start getting milder weather in as little as two weeks. The network forecasts warmer than normal temperatures across B.C. for spring, which could heighten the chance of flood warnings, but there will be spots of colder weather during the transition to spring Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The network also predicts there will be average amounts of precipitation across the province, but slightly more precipitation north of Vancouver Island. Atlantic Canada “This part of the country is going to struggle a little bit more with getting that spring weather,” said Scott. While there could be a winter storm in March, Scott said there will be temperature swings of cold and mild conditions near the beginning of April. “Certainly for winter we can see the end in sight, but it’s going to take a little bit longer to get the true thrust of spring,” he said. The network predicts that while Newfoundland and Labrador will endure colder than average temperatures this spring, it is expected that the rest of the Atlantic region will experience normal temperatures along with precipitation levels for the time of year. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Prairies “It’s been extremely cold across this region, but we’re not done yet. We’ve got about two to three more weeks,” said Scott.<doc-sep>Environment Canada is warning Ontarians about heavy snowfall, freezing rain and a windstorm that's expected to rock the province today. The agency says parts of southern Ontario could experience winds gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour that can damage windows, rip shingles off roofs and cause power outages. Meantime, 15 to 20 centimetres of snow and ice pellets are expected in most of northern Ontario throughout the day. Forecasters are cautioning drivers about decreased visibility on roads.<doc-sep>
Send this page to someone via email Hydro companies are advising residents to prepare for possible power outages Sunday throughout southern Ontario as very high winds are expected. Environment Canada issued a wind warning for southern Ontario Saturday afternoon. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to at least 110 km/h in most areas as a sharp cold front moves through. “Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur,” Environment Canada said. “Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.” The winds are expected to begin Sunday morning and gradually diminish on Monday. Story continues below advertisement In a news release Saturday morning, Hydro One warned of the possibility of “hundreds” of outages throughout parts of Ontario that will be affected by the storm. They also advised residents to gather emergency supplies in case of an outage, including: Cash Two litres of water per person Canned or dried food A battery-powered radio and flashlight Candles Blankets A first aid kit Any outdoor furniture or loose objects should also be tied down. Hydro One said its crews are preparing for outages Sunday but warn that restoration times will only be determined once damage has been assessed. Residents should charge their devices and check the outage map provided by the electricity provider in their region for outage updates and restoration times. Travel highly discouraged in the snowbelt north and west of Toronto Sunday afternoon/night. Blizzard conditions with zero visibility and 100km/h+ winds right as everything freezes back up. This rare combo will lead to life threatening conditions. #onstorm — Anthony Farnell (@AnthonyFarnell) February 23, 2019 Story continues below advertisement The high winds Sunday will also be accompanied by rain and warm temperatures, but that will change over to snow Sunday night as temperatures quickly drop. WATCH: Environment Canada issues a wind warning for southern Ontario 1:18 Environment Canada issues a wind warning for southern Ontario Environment Canada issues a wind warning for southern Ontario – Feb 23, 2019