Record-high snowfall possible in Windsor today, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent today, telling people to expect as much as 20 centimetres of snow.

The agency has issued a yellow warning, which means the hazardous weather can damage, disrupt or cause health impacts, and that conditions will be localized and short term.

Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with ECCC, told CBC News Sunday morning that the total storms are expected to bring around 10 to 20 centimetres by this evening.

She said the last time Windsor saw record-high snowfall was on Jan. 25, 2023 at 11.2 centimetres.

“It's definitely possible,” Mauti said, that Sunday’s snowfall exceeds that record. 

She said the possibility of quick moving flurries Monday morning could bring an additional 2 centimetres in the region.

CBC spoke with Windsor residents Sunday evening about their experiences through the day.

Mani Singh, 32, said he spent an hour shovelling on Sunday morning so he could run errands, then again later so he could get to the gym.

"That's part of life in Windsor," he said. "Be safe out there."

University of Windsor student Pritham Suresan, who depends on public transit to get around, said the city's sidewalks were difficult to navigate.

"I was walking with my friend and there were times we just had to walk in a row. It was easier than trekking through the snow," the 23-year-old said. "I hope the roads have been cleared properly Monday."

Suresan advised other pedestrians to "stay bundled up."

Tahmina Sharif Mitu moved to Windsor in 2021 and said she'd only seen such winter conditions in the GTA.

"This is the first time [seeing] this much snow in Windsor ... since I have been here," she said. "It's quite unbelievable."