A Winter Storm Watch for Saturday, January 19-2019, was issued by Environment Canada at 3:11 PM.
They are expecting a major storm to track south of Lake Ontario, and with it significant snowfall for Oakville. The snow is expected to begin falling Saturday morning and last until Saturday night.
At this time the prediction is between 15 to 25 cm will fall, but the likelihood for snow accumulation in Oakville is between 5 to 10 cm due to the wind coming from the North-East. We usually see significantly more snow when the wind comes from the East.
Speaking of the wind, they will gust to 60 km/h with a sustained windspeed of 40 km/h. This is likely going to trigger a cold weather event as the windchill will make it feel like minus 20.
You need to be prepared and all the information can be found on Halton Region's Website.
Five items you should have at home:
- Water: supply for each person for 3 days
- Food: non-perishable, and requires little effort or energy to prepare - enough to cover 3 days.
- First aid: available at most supply stores such as Canadian Tire. Don't forget personal hygiene items, non-prescription drugs along with prescription drugs.
- Tools and supplies from candles, matches to a multi-tool pocket knife. (see the regional website)
- Clothing & bedding should keep you warm and dry
If you are driving have a car survival kit. Again the information is on the Region's website.
Here are some suggestions for your car survival kit:
- booster cables
- vehicle fluids
- emergency flares
- a survival candle
- blanket and first aid equipment
- highway help sign
Environment Canada's Winter Storm Watch continues with:
There is still much uncertainty with the track of this winter storm. A more northerly track would increase snowfall amounts while a more southerly track would decrease amounts. Regardless of the track, very cold wind chill values and blowing snow can be expected this weekend.
Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
Winter storm watches are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.