If the weather up north proves one thing, it's this - be careful what you wish for.
After weeks of complaining that 'there's no snow', residents north of the G.T.A. got socked by the first major winter storm of the year.
As much as 10-15 centimetres of frosted flakes fell around the Barrie and Orillia area Tuesday, bringing joy to the long suffering ski hills and groans to those with driveways.
Snow squall warnings are out for a large area, including Newmarket, Uxbridge, Orangeville and Northern York and Durham regions.
Environment Canada warns visibility could be near zero in some areas because of the high winds and that the squalls could drop an additional 15 centimetres of snow by Wednesday.
There have already been scores of accidents in the long delayed deluge. "There are always some people who drive a little bit faster than they should be," concedes tow truck driver Alexander Jvrilovic.
Those travelling outside Toronto are advised to be wary and consider putting their trip off until the worst passes.
That's expected to happen Wednesday when a ridge of high pressure moves in and clears out the disturbance.
Until then, the Great White North will finally be living up to its name.
It's a pain for some, but a pleasure for Blue Mountain. The ski resort was forced to lay off 1,300 employees last week, because there simply wasn't enough snow.
"We're hoping to open on Wednesday," reveals spokesperson Shannon Ballard. "As soon as we open we're going to take it day by day and hopefully be calling people back to work."
It couldn't have come soon enough for the tourist trade. "Snow is very important of course, not just for us but for all the auxiliary businesses that are part of what we do," agrees Peter Hanney of Snow Valley Ski Resort.
Still, not everyone's happy.
"Not really," grunts Barrie resident John Beaulieu as he shovels heavy loads of flakes from his driveway. "I'm not a winter person."
Toronto will escape the worst of it once again, putting the 'horseshoe' in the Golden Horseshoe.
We'll only get flurries from the squalls as they dip slightly towards us. There could be about a centimetre of accumulation by the time it's all done, but we're going to be getting off easy.
Temperatures, which had finally fallen below the freezing mark, are expected to rebound to an unseasonably warm 8C by Saturday - which means if you're patient, you won't have to shovel any of it.
To check the current conditions and the long range forecast,
click here.
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