A snowfall warning issued early Friday has expanded to cover Yellowknife, Łútsël K’é, the Tłı̨chǫ region and most Dehcho communities.
Around 10 to 15 cm of snow is expected to fall on Friday and Saturday, although some areas could see up to 25 cm.
The forecast snowfall is likely to mean hazardous highway travel for anyone attempting holiday getaway plans by road.
Issuing an upgraded warning, Environment and Climate Change Canada said heavy snow would begin on Friday morning “in the Fort Liard region and spread across Great Slave Lake and surrounding areas through tonight.”
“Generally, total accumulations of 10 to 20 cm are expected, but some areas could receive as much as 25 cm by Saturday morning when the heaviest snow tapers off,” the advisory stated.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Fort Providence, Jean Marie River and Kakisa are all included in the Dehcho advisory.
“The heaviest snow will fall in an area between Fort Liard and Fort Providence,” the federal agency earlier stated.
“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”
For Yellowknife and Łútsël K’é, ECCC says snow will begin on Friday afternoon and continue until Saturday afternoon, with the heaviest snow expected overnight between Friday and Saturday.
Yellowknife received about 12 cm of snow over two days in mid-November, but otherwise hasn’t had a snow dump this winter of the kind forecast.
The city’s record one-day snowfall total is 26 cm, set in late October 2008.
