Elizabeth Street in Brighton on the morning of Jan. 19, 2026. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Travel is anticipated to be treacherous today throughout Northumberland with snow squalls stretching into the evening.
Environment Canada has issued snow squall warnings for west and east Northumberland and the Quinte areas.
Whiteout conditions were already being reported this morning, but Environment Canada is predicting the worst conditions will be this afternoon and evening as westerly wind gusts up to 70 km/h add to the mess.
School buses in Northumberland and the Quinte areas were cancelled across the board earlier this morning due to the forecast.
Environment Canada says people can expect near zero-visibility at times in heavy and blowing snow, with local snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 centimetres.
Snow squalls are expected to move out of the area this evening. In some areas, snowfall has already exceeded forecasts.
Northumberland County has noted higher accumulations in the northern areas of the county.
Officials are predicting significant impacts on rush-hour traffic and hazardous travel, including on Hwy. 401.
Motorists are urged to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Disruptions to transportation services and utilities are also possible.
County and municipal officials are also asking residents to slow down on the roads and to give snowplows space to work – this means also not passing plows at work.
In nearby Prince Edward County, Environment Canada has issued an orange-level blizzard warning in the Picton area, saying blizzard conditions are expected this afternoon into tonight. Wind gusts are anticipated up to 90 km/h, along with wind chills minus 20 and snowfall accumulations of 20 to 40 cm or higher possible.
Travel is expected to be dangerous and “likely impossible due to near-zero visibility.”
Environment Canada is also predicting snow squalls may continue into Tuesday, affecting southern portions of the region.
People are asked to avoid travel where possible in Prince Edward County and to have an emergency plan in plan if they must travel.
