An orange snowfall warning means that a significant snowfall event is expected or already occurring, with the potential to cause substantial disruptions and dangerous conditions.
If an orange snowfall warning has been issued for your area, you should be prepared for difficult travel, heavy snow accumulation and possible disruptions to transportation and daily activities.
Orange warnings indicate a higher level of severity and potential impact than a Yellow Warning – Snowfall. It is important to monitor changing conditions, check your local weather forecast and prepare before the worst of the weather arrives.
Below, we explain what an orange snowfall warning means, how serious it can be and what you should do to prepare.
What Is an Orange Snowfall Warning?
An orange snowfall warning indicates that a significant weather event is expected to create dangerous conditions and substantial disruptions.
Heavy or persistent snowfall may make travel difficult, reduce visibility and cause snow to accumulate quickly on roads, sidewalks and other surfaces.
Depending on the severity of the storm, transportation services, schools, businesses and other daily activities may also be affected.
An orange warning is more serious than a Yellow Warning – Snowfall and should be treated accordingly.
If conditions become exceptionally severe and the potential for widespread or extreme impacts increases, a Red Warning – Snowfall may be issued.
What Conditions Can You Expect?
Conditions during an orange snowfall warning will depend on the storm affecting your area.
However, several potentially hazardous conditions may occur.
Heavy Snowfall
Significant snow may fall for several hours or longer.
Snow can accumulate quickly on roads, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots.
Heavy accumulation may make snow removal more difficult and can affect travel throughout the region.
Poor Visibility
Heavy falling snow can significantly reduce visibility.
Drivers may have difficulty seeing other vehicles, road markings and potential hazards.
Conditions may become even more dangerous when heavy snow is combined with strong winds.
Extremely poor visibility may also occur during a blizzard or intense snow squall.
Dangerous Driving Conditions
Roads may quickly become covered in snow.
Drivers may experience reduced traction and longer stopping distances.
Before travelling, check current road conditions, your local weather forecast and active winter weather warnings.
Transportation Disruptions
A significant snowfall event can affect several forms of transportation.
Possible disruptions include:
- Traffic delays
- Road closures
- Public transit delays
- School bus cancellations
- Flight delays
- Flight cancellations
If an orange snowfall warning is active, consider whether your trip is necessary before travelling.
Orange vs. Yellow vs. Red Snowfall Warnings
Canada’s colour-coded weather alert system uses yellow, orange and red warnings to communicate increasing levels of weather severity and potential impact.
A Yellow Warning – Snowfall indicates potentially hazardous conditions that may cause disruptions.
An Orange Warning – Snowfall indicates a more significant weather event with the potential for substantial impacts and dangerous conditions.
A Red Warning – Snowfall represents an extremely dangerous weather event with the potential for severe and widespread impacts.
Weather warnings can change as forecasts develop and new information becomes available.
Can an Orange Snowfall Warning Become a Red Warning?
Yes.
Weather warnings may be upgraded if conditions are expected to become more severe.
If a snowfall event has the potential to create extremely dangerous conditions and widespread impacts, an orange warning may be upgraded to a Red Warning – Snowfall.
This is why you should continue monitoring weather updates throughout the duration of the storm.
Can an Orange Snowfall Warning Be Downgraded?
Yes.
An orange warning may be downgraded if forecast conditions improve or the expected impacts become less severe.
For example, an Orange Warning – Snowfall could potentially be changed to a Yellow Warning – Snowfall.
Warnings may also be ended when hazardous conditions are no longer expected.
How Long Does an Orange Snowfall Warning Last?
There is no standard duration for every orange snowfall warning.
A warning may remain active for several hours or longer depending on the weather system.
Weather warnings can be:
- Issued
- Updated
- Extended
- Upgraded
- Downgraded
- Ended
Continue monitoring current weather information until the warning for your area has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Snowfall Warnings
An orange snowfall warning means that a significant snowfall event is expected or already occurring and could cause substantial disruptions and dangerous conditions. Heavy snow may affect travel, transportation and everyday activities in the affected area.
Red is the highest and most serious warning level in Canada’s colour-coded weather alert system. A Red Warning – Snowfall indicates an extremely dangerous weather event with the potential for severe and widespread impacts.
An orange weather warning means that a significant weather event is expected and could create dangerous conditions and substantial impacts. People in the affected area should prepare for possible disruptions and continue monitoring the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
Red is the highest alert colour in Canada’s weather warning system. A red warning indicates an extremely dangerous weather event that could cause severe and widespread impacts.
Yes. An orange snowfall warning may be upgraded to a Red Warning – Snowfall if the expected conditions become more severe or the potential for dangerous and widespread impacts increases.
Travel may be difficult or dangerous during an orange snowfall warning. Before leaving, check your local weather forecast, current road conditions and active weather warnings. Consider delaying unnecessary travel if conditions are poor or authorities recommend staying off the roads.
