Environment Canada has issued a storm warning for Welland and the Niagara Region, with blizzard conditions Friday into Saturday. Transit services are planning on operating at full capacity; however, delays and potential cancellations throughout the day may occur.

Blizzard conditions with wind gusts of 100 to 120 km/h with snowfall amounts of 15 to 30 cm by Sunday, December 25. Wind chill values will be near minus 20, and a flash freeze, producing icy and slippery surfaces, will likely occur.

“Our crews are preparing the roads with salt and material for the storm,” said James Sticca, manager of public works. “We have our trucks prepped and ready to go by 4 a.m. Friday morning and staff assigned to routes throughout the weekend.”

Public works staff are preparing to maintain priority and bus routes as the weather rolls in, with the deployment of plows based on snow accumulation. A full plow Friday overnight is planned, and, based on the forecast, mid-day clean-ups from snow drifts on Saturday.

Both field and administrative staff will monitor the storm and its impacts on the City throughout the weekend, despite City Hall being closed for the holidays.

Precipitation begins as rain this afternoon, and temperatures are expected to drop on Friday morning, leading to a potential flash freeze. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by strong to damaging winds and heavy snow. Blizzard conditions will develop Friday, especially as lake effect snow off Lake Erie intensifies. Lake effect snow will result in variability of snowfall amounts through the weekend.

Visibility will suddenly be reduced to near zero in heavy snow and blowing snow. Protect yourself from wind, cold and disorientation by staying sheltered indoors or with your vehicle. Anyone not dressed warmly is at risk of frostbite and hypothermia in cold weather.

Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits, go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.