Winter storm watch warns up to 30 cm of snow expected to fall on Hamilton by Friday

A winter storm watch has been issued for Hamilton, with Environment Canada warning up to 30 cm of snow could be dumped on the area by Friday.

The watch also covers Haldimand-Norfolk, Brant County and the Niagara Region.

It says reduced visibility due to “heavy” and blowing snow are expected when 20 to 30 cm falls from Wednesday through to the end of the work week.

The wild weather is forecast to start with showers Tuesday night. But the weather authority says that rain will turn into snow by tomorrow afternoon.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” reads the watch. “Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”

Environment Canada says driving could be hazardous before the snow begins to slow down by Friday morning.

The snowfall comes just over two weeks after a separate storm dropped dozens of centimetres of snow across the city, freezing transit and travellers and leaving people digging out.

Hamilton declared a “significant weather event” that suspended its typical timeline for clearing snow from the streets, along with extending the deadline for sidewalks to be shoveled based on a city bylaw requires property owners to do so within 24 hours.

But, weeks later, some sidewalks still haven’t been cleared, prompting concerns over accessibility and safety of those who need to use them.

CBC