Much of northeastern Ontario under winter weather travel advisory

Much of northeastern Ontario is under a winter weather travel advisory Monday as Environment and Climate Change Canada warns of heavy snow, rapidly deteriorating travel conditions and diminished visibility.

The advisory covers an area from just east of Wawa to Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Shores, and extends south to Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake, Greater Sudbury and North Bay and north to Timmins, Cochrane and Iroquois Falls. It does not include Hearst, Kapuskasing or Smooth Rock Falls.

The weather agency says a low-pressure system will bring 10 to 15 centimetres of snow to the affected areas beginning Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday, with larger amounts possible over higher terrain. 

Snowfall will begin in Sault Ste. Marie and reach North Bay later in the evening, according to the advisory. 

The heaviest snowfall is expected through the evening and overnight hours before tapering off on Tuesday. 

"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow," the advisory reads. 

"Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions."

Environment and Climate Change Canada urges motorists to slow down if their visibility is reduced, watch for tail lights and be prepared to stop.