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Residents in the region have already started to rearrange, postpone, or cancel their Easter plans, amid an expected 20-35 cm of snow to fall by Friday.
Due to the heavy snowfall, travel has been discouraged for northwestern Ontario and parts of Manitoba.
One Kenora resident was expecting company over the long weekend from Manitoba but due to the storm has had to postpone those plans a few days.
“It will affect company coming from Winnipeg, they’re supposed to come Thursday night after school, and they probably will not come now until Saturday or even Sunday,” she said.
In the event, the conditions clear up and travel is encouraged sooner, she said she stocked up on the Easter dinner essentials.
“Buns and sandwich meat, some meat, milk, and treats for the kids. Just ordinary [Easter] staples.”
On Tuesday, stores in Kenora were packed with shoppers stocking up on essential supplies, preparing themselves in the event they would be stranded at home or the power goes out.
On Wednesday morning, the Manitoba RCMP closed Highway 1 from Elie to Austin and Highway 75 from Morris to the Canada/US Border. They said in a release, that they are keeping a close on the ever-changing road conditions.
Up to 70 km/h wind gusts, mixed with lots of snow will result in moderate to limited visibility for drivers.
If more major Manitoba highways close, one Kenora resident is concerned for her and her husband’s safety.
“My husband is coming in from Toronto and I was supposed to pick him up and I don’t think I should risk it. He might have to stay in Winnipeg until Saturday,” she noted.
On Wednesday, all but a handful of flights departing and arriving into Winnipeg were canceled, due to the weather.
Environment Canada said on Wednesday that the bulk of the storm was supposed to hit the region Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, with 15-20 cm expected overnight. Later Thursday, the storm will lighten up with only 5 cm estimated, before moving eastward late Friday afternoon.
Right now, the Kenora, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout areas are all under a Winter Storm Warning.
Red Lake is going to get the same snowfall amount as Kenora with 20-40 cm projected, and Sioux Lookout a possible 20 cm of snow.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Road closures are possible. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone.
Keep up to date with all weather conditions with the REMR Roofing Storm Tracker.