Snowfall warning in effect across Northwestern Ontario

Environment Canada is predicting up to 25 centimetres of snow at rates of three to five centimetres per hour.

Snowfall warnings have been issued across the Kenora and Rainy River districts, as well as the Nipigon, Greenstone, Manitouwadge, and Hornepayne areas.

The weather service says the snowfall would have started in areas near the U.S. border early this morning and spread northeast up toward Hornepayne.

Then snow will taper off later on tonight and through Wednesday.

To prepare for the inclement weather, the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium has cancelled bus service in the Kenora district.

Rainy River District Transportation Services Consortium has cancelled school bus services for Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Rainy River First Nation and Seine River First Nation, along with buses 100, 110, 225, NFN830, NFN831, NFN832 and BIFN800 to McCrosson-Tovell School.

The Town of Fort Frances has issued a statement asking residents to limit their use of roadways and sidewalks, and on-street parking is prohibited between 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. except in the downtown core.  

Districts across Northwestern Ontario have issued a travel warning advising that driving may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather.

Snow and ice pellets are expected to create freezing rain. Road conditions will become icy and slippery.

For road conditions and other traveller information from the Ministry of Transportation, visit ontario.ca/511, twitter.com/511Ontario, or call 5-1-1.