Communities in Prince Edward County including Bloomfield, Picton and Wellington could be in for 15 to 25 centimetres of heavy blowing snow between late Monday afternoon and early Wednesday morning, according to Environment Canada.
The agency issued a snow squall watch, then warning for southern parts of the county closer to Lake Ontario.
Snow squalls are moderate to heavy flurries driven by strong, gusty winds that can materialize with little warning and make it very hard to see.
Winds could gust up to 60 km/h, according to Environment Canada’s forecast. Gusts have indeed reached that strength starting Monday evening.
Forecasters ask people in the area to consider postponing non-essential travel.
Picton’s expected Tuesday high is –9 C, which is where it sat at 6 a.m. Wind chill could make it feel around –20. As the storm eases overnight the area is looking at a low of –18 C and wind chill making it feel nearly –30, well below normal for late January.
Much of Canada is experiencing below-average temperatures including an extreme cold warning in some areas west of Ottawa overnight Sunday.