Here we go again: Winter storm could bring up to 30 cm of snow to Waterloo region and area this weekend

Grab your shovels because another winter storm is here.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for the Waterloo region, Guelph-Wellington and surrounding areas on Saturday.

The weather agency says these areas could see up to 10 cm of snow during the day on Saturday and freezing drizzle is also a possibility. Up to 20 cm of additional snow is expected on Sunday, making travel hazardous.

"Conditions will rapidly deteriorate Sunday morning," the warning said.

"Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow," according to the Environment Canada warning. "Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight."

The forecast from Environment Canada:

• Saturday: A high of –3 C with light snow early in the morning, then snow beginning in earnest later in the morning. The temperature will drop to –6 C tonight with risk of freezing drizzle.
• Sunday: Heavy snow at times and windy with blowing snow likely. High –5 C. 
• Monday: Cloudy with a chance of flurries or snow squalls. Windy, too. High –10 C.

Parking bans in place for 'significant weather event'

The Region of Waterloo has declared a significant weather event. Residents are being asked to stay off the road and limit travel to only essential trips.

"Allow our snow plow crews to do their jobs and clear roadways to give access to emergency vehicles," the regional government said in a notice posted online.

"The Region will make every effort to continue to clear and treat Regional roads and bike paths; however, they might not be maintained as normally expected."

Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, the Township of Wilmot and the Township of Woolwich have also declared significant weather events and parking bans.

The on-street parking ban for Cambridge began at 9 a.m. Saturday, while parking bans in Kitchener, Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot will begin at midnight on Saturday. The on-street parking bans will be in effect for 24 hours. 

The Township of Woolwich enforces a winter parking ban each year from the beginning of December to the end of March from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. on township roads to allow for effective slow clearing, sanding and salting, according to the municipality's website. 

Residents are being reminded that sidewalks should be cleared within 36 hours following the end of snowfall.

Laurier closes campus

In response to the severe weather, Wilfrid Laurier University closed its campuses and locations at 6 p.m. on Saturday, with plans to reopen on Tuesday morning.

Steven Flisfeder is a meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada. He says by the time the storm departs this area, "we'll be looking at a fairly big snow pack in addition to what has already been received."

He says the storm will follow a very similar track to the storm that hit late Wednesday, leading to schools being closed and programs cancelled on Thursday.

"It's being fed with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches southern Ontario meeting up with that cold northerly air," he said.

Despite the snowbanks being higher than they have been in recent winters, Flisfeder says the amount of snow the region is seeing is not unusual.

"We typically would see systems like this every winter. Looking back at last year, it may seem like it's out of the ordinary, but it's really the contrary. Last year was the outlier where we received very little snow, generally speaking," he said.

"Typically, we would be seeing multiple systems like this one and the one we just saw throughout the winter."

People hitting local ski hill

While some may grumble about having to shovel, others are loving this weather. That includes Bill Creighton, CEO of Chicopee Ski Hill in Kitchener.

"Our slopes are fantastic because not only do we have a deep base with groomed snow, but we got all this extra powder on top," Creighton said on Thursday, when hundreds of people hit the slopes when schools were closed for the day.

The ski hill has had shortened seasons the past few winters, so Creighton says the extra snow is a very welcome sight.

"I think with Family Day weekend we're going to see great crowds here," he said. "We've got new lifts going so we've got lots of capacity, short lines and people enjoying the winter."