The first major snow squall event of the season is shaping up across Ontario's snowbelt regions, and while this will be amazing news for ski areas ahead of the holidays, drivers will be tested with da

Lake effect snow squalls are expected to impact parts of Ontario throughout the weekend with peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 in per hour, according to Environment Canada.

Heavy snow, poor travel conditions and power outages are expected in the Barrie area starting Friday evening and continuing at least through the weekend, Environment Canada says. Weather warnings have also been issued for other parts of central Ontario.

Environment Canada is warning of snow squalls in parts of Ontario north of the Greater Toronto Area this weekend, with more than 75 centimetres of snow accumulation possible in some areas.