Ontario’s snowbelt areas are facing severe winter conditions with heavy snowfall and ongoing weather challenges affecting local communities
Orillia: So, winter in Ontario has been a bit of a mixed bag, right? Some folks say it’s been pretty quiet, while others are dealing with snowbanks that are literally feet high.
In the Greater Toronto Area, it’s been mostly light snow, nothing too crazy. But if you head west or north, it’s a whole different story. Those areas are getting slammed.
Especially around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, the snow squalls have been relentless since late November. Places like Gravenhurst and Bracebridge have seen some serious snowfall.
Just recently, Gravenhurst declared a state of emergency after a storm dumped over 100 cm of snow. That caused road closures and power outages, making life pretty tough for locals.
And Barrie had its own issues too, with a significant weather event earlier this month. They recorded over 73 cm of snow in some spots, which really messed with travel and services.
Mark Robinson from The Weather Network even visited Bruce County to check out the snow situation. Locals like Mike Walsh mentioned that while this kind of snow used to be normal, now it feels like a big deal.
And guess what? More snow is on the way! This weekend, they’re expecting another 25 cm in areas that have already been hit hard. So, if you’re driving, be careful out there.
People are wondering when this will all end. The good news is that the Great Lakes are freezing over more than usual, which might help slow down the snow squalls eventually.
But for now, it looks like the snow is here to stay for a bit longer. Just check out the photos on social media; Gravenhurst has been buried under 140 cm of snow!