TERRACE BAY — An Alberta clipper that brought at least 15 centimetres of snow to the Thunder Bay area on Friday and more to some areas west of the city is expected to skim the North Shore and areas north.
That’s according to Steven Flisfeder, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“With the trajectory of the low pressure system, it will be just skirting those areas to the North Shore of Lake Superior,” he said.
Alberta clippers are named because they originate in the Canadian Rockies before travelling across the Prairies and into our region, Flisfeder said.
While much of the Northwest had seen snowfall warnings throughout much of the day Friday, east of the city was under a winter weather travel advisory.
It said that the region could expect up to 10 centimetres of snow and reduced visibility continuing through late Friday afternoon. The snow was expected to taper off to light flurries late in the afternoon or into the evening.
“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather,” the advisory said. “Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.”
They won't get high accumulations, but the rates of the snow will be such that visibility will be reduced,” Flisfeder added. “Impacts on the roads for anybody who will be out travelling across the highways throughout the afternoon and evening.”
The weather system is expected to continue in a general southeasterly direction, bringing heavier accumulations to communities on the far northeastern and eastern shores of Lake Superior.