50 cms of snow across central Ontario expected this weekend

Oh, the weather outside is expected to be frightful in central Ontario.

Environment Canada has called for snow squall warnings and watches across a great swath of our region.

The national weather agency is calling for local accumulations to exceed 50 centimetres by the end of the weekend.

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The weather warming statement reads, "Lake effect snow squalls are occurring to the north of the region and are expected to move south into the area today. These bands will shift from time to time but will be capable of intense snowfall rates. Travel is expected to be difficult to nearly impossible at times under these bands. As is common with snow squalls, snowfall amounts will be highly variable."

Areas under the warning alert are:

Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Orillia, Lagoon City, Washago, Huntsville, Baysville, Manitoulin Island, Midland, Coldwater, Orr Lake, Owen Sound, the Blue Mountains, Northern Grey County, Port Carling, Port Severn, Shelburne, Mansfield, Northern Dufferin County, Parry Sound, Rosseau and Killbear Park.

The weather watch alert is calling for accumulations exceeding 40 cms by late Sunday "with poor visibility in bursts of heavy snow and local blowing snow."

Areas under the watch alert are:

Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Grand Valley, Orangeville and Southern Dufferin County.