Weather & Storm Watch -1) Friday & Saturday; 2)Weather: 9,000 dump trucks later: Barrie ends significant weather event
1)Weather & Storm Watch – Friday/Saturday
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Snowfall/Wind Advisory
- Barrie – Collingwood – Hillsdale
- Midland -Coldwater – Orr Lake
- Orillia – Washago – Lagoon City
- Blue Mountains – northern Grey
Snow and strong winds on schedule.
What: Total snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm.
Winds gusting 50 to 70 km/h.
Low and occasional near zero visibility in snow and local blowing snow.
When: Continuing tonight.
Additional information: Strong westerly or northwesterly winds are expected to develop this evening or overnight with gusts up to 70 km/h along with falling temperatures. Freshly fallen snow may be whipped up into blowing snow by the strong winds once the temperature has dipped back to below freezing.
Winds are expected to ease as the system moves out of the province Saturday morning.
Remember to take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
Isolated utility outages are possible.
Slippery roads and sidewalks are also possible.
Snowfall Warning
- York -Durham
- southern Kawartha Lakes
Impact Level: Moderate
Forecast Confidence: High
Snow is on schedule.
What: Total snowfall amounts of near 15 cm over some locations.
Snowfall rates up to 5 cm per hour.
When: Continuing tonight into Saturday morning.
Additional information: Snowfall amounts near 15 cm are expected inland from Lake Ontario and over higher elevations such as the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Lesser amounts are expected near Lake Ontario where warmer temperatures are likely to result in a longer period of rain.
The major highways likely to be affected the most with hazardous winter driving conditions are Highways 400, 404, 407 and 115. A return to winter driving conditions is also expected on Highways 401 and 2.
Travel will likely be challenging. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Visibility will likely be reduced at times.
Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
Snowfall Advisory
- Innisfil – New Tecumseth – Essa
Snow and strong winds on schedule.
What: Total snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm.
Winds gusting 50 to 70 km/h.
Low and occasional near zero visibility in snow and local blowing snow.
When: Continuing tonight.
Additional information:
Strong westerly or northwesterly winds are expected to develop this evening or overnight with gusts up to 70 km/h along with falling temperatures. Freshly fallen snow may be whipped up into blowing snow by the strong winds once the temperature has dipped back to below freezing.
Winds are expected to ease as the system moves out of the province Saturday morning.
Remember to take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
Isolated utility outages are possible.
Slippery roads and sidewalks are also possible.
- Toronto – Snow expected this afternoon.
- Port Severn – Port Carling
- Bracebridge – Gravenhurst
- northern Kawartha Lakes
Snow on schedule.
What: Total snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm.
Reduced visibility in heavy snow at times.
When: Tonight into a Saturday morning
Additional information: Roads and walkways may be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
Remember to take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
Winter Storm Warning – Yellow Alert
- southern Grey
Impact Level: Moderate
Forecast Confidence: High
Hazardous winter conditions are expected.
What: Widespread blowing snow leading to reduced visibility tonight.
Total snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 cm.
Winds gusting 70 to 90 km/h.
When: Beginning this morning and continuing into tonight.
Additional information: Strong southerly winds are expected to develop this morning with gusts up to 60 km/h possible. Very strong westerly or northwesterly winds are expected this evening with gusts near 90 km/h possible near Lake Huron and gusts to 70 km/h farther inland. Falling temperatures are also expected with these strong winds.
The freshly fallen snow and strong winds will lead to widespread blowing snow tonight, particularly over exposed areas.
Winds are expected to ease as the system moves out of the province Saturday morning.
Travel will likely be challenging. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Road closures are possible. Local utility outages are likely.
Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
2)Weather: 9,000 dump trucks later: Barrie ends significant weather event
Courtesy Barrie360
By Ian MacLennan, March 12,2026
The significant weather event declared by the City of Barrie on December 28, 2025, the longest on record, was finally lifted on Wednesday morning.
“All narrowed road lanes and cycling lanes across the city have now been cleared, allowing winter maintenance operations to return to normal service levels,” according to a statement on the City of Barrie’s website.
If you have been keeping score, the city has received 378 cm (about 12 feet) of snow so far, with snowfall occurring on 65 days between Nov. 1, 2025 and Feb. 28.
The city says crews cleared 385 km of snowbanks, hauling away 180,000 cubic meters of snow, the equivalent of 9,000 dump trucks, to three different storage sites. The snow pile at the city’s Operations Centre on Ferndale Drive reached capacity in early February, and additional storage sites were opened at the landfill and at 17 McKay Road.
“The city thanks residents for their patience and cooperation throughout an unprecedented winter season, and recognizes the efforts of crews who worked extended hours to restore safe conditions across the community,” the City of Barre said on its website.