Winter weather advisory kicks off the season

Dust off your shovels to prepare for this winter's first snow of the season.

Environment Canada has issued its first weather advisory for parts of the region, which could see up to five centimetres of snow, with deeper snow possible over higher terrains.

Still, winter has been slow to arrive.

“Typically, by this time, we would have had 38 centimetres of snow – nine days with snow – that’s by the end of November,” said David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist.

While the snow is only expected to cover Huntsville, Parry Sound, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Baysville Wednesday morning, Phillips says the real deal is expected in the coming days.

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“It’s going to start maybe Thursday night in some areas around Lake Huron and Friday morning may be a bit of a commute problem in the Barrie area, and then Friday, Saturday and into Sunday,” he added.

Phillips said to expect the wintry weather to continue into next week with colder temperatures.

And with the thought of winter comes the reminder for snow tires, with many getting a head start.

“It’s extremely busy,” said Mohamed Daher with The Tire Guys in Barrie. “This is usually, now until probably mid-January is the busiest time of the year.”

The City of Barrie has its trucks and road crews ready to go at the first sign of snow.

“We can send the guys right out, there’s no delay, and we can get out there and fight the storm. We’ve got all our routes timed to about 10 hours depending on the amount of snow,” explained Dave Friary, the city’s director of operations.

Despite a lack of snowfall last year, the City of Barrie used its $8 million snow-clearing budget, with higher costs for contracts and fuel to blame.

The City reminds residents that winter road parking rules come into effect on December 1, meaning no on-street parking overnight so snowplows can clear routes without issues.