Barrie, surrounding areas under winter weather travel advisory

Traffic on highway 400 in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Mike Lang)

Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka are under a winter weather travel advisory as of Thursday.

According to Environment Canada, heavy snow and blowing snow could cause reduced visibility, and total amounts of five to ten centimetres are possible. The advisory applies to areas that include:

- Barrie

- Blue Mountains

- Bruce County

- Coldwater

- Collingwood

- Grey County

- Hillsdale

- Midland

- Orr Lake

- Owen Sound

- Parry Sound

Environment Canada states that the snow could intensify early Thursday evening as the winds shift to northwesterly, adding that highways, roads, walkways and parking lots could become icy.

Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and are encouraged to adjust travel plans accordingly.

The national weather agency states that the advisory is in effect for early Thursday evening and throughout Thursday night.