With severe weather forecast for large parts of Ontario this weekend, Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning for Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale, potential travel hazards, power outages and lots of snow starting late Friday and continuing at least through the weekend.

Flurries are forecast to begin Friday evening and continue through the weekend and possibly into early next week, according to the alert, which was upgraded from a snow squall watch on Friday afternoon. 

Snowfall amounts are expected to vary widely depending on location, as is common with snow squalls, but the weather agency says some areas could get “well in excess” of 40 centimetres by late Sunday.

The heavy snowfall, which is expected to be wet, could lead to power outages, the alert warns. 

It could also make getting around difficult.

The department is warning of “very poor to zero visibility at times in heavy snow and local blowing snow” over the weekend. Sudden changes in the weather could make travel hazardous, as squalls can shift from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres. At its peak, snow could fall at 5 centimetres to 10 centimetres per hour.

Environment Canada is recommending people in the snow squall areas consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Anyone who must travel is encouraged to let others know of their plans and carry emergency supplies and a mobile phone in case of emergency.

The hazardous weather could extend into the start of next week, according to the alert.

Toronto is expected to miss the worst of this weekend’s hazardous winter weather, but there are several warnings for communities surrounding Barrie and other parts of central Ontario.

Further north, Bracebridge, Muskoka and Parry Sound are expected to get up to 75 centimetres of snow over the weekend. Warnings have also been issued for Orillia, Sault Ste. Marie and many communities along Lake Huron.