Environment Canada on Thursday issued a major winter storm warning for the local area.
The storm on Friday and Saturday is expected to make travel hazardous.
All schools in Brantford and Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand counties will be closed Friday.
Brant County on Thursday declared a significant weather event starting at 5 am on Friday.
The county said its customer service offices in Burford and Paris will be closed Friday.
As well, the following facilities will be closed Friday and Saturday: Brant Sports Complex, Burford Community Centre, Gaukel Memorial Community Center (St. George), Scotland Community Center and Syl Apps Community Center (Paris.)
“The purpose of declaring a significant weather event is to notify the public that the condition of roads, bike lanes and sidewalks will continue to deteriorate to a poor condition due to the weather event, and it may take longer than normal to restore,” the county said in a news release. “Additional caution should be observed if it is necessary to travel on County of Brant roads.”
The county said that, when the declaration is cancelled, the municipality will resume maintaining the roads as directed by the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards.
“Please note, declaring the end of the event does not mean the roads, bike lanes and sidewalks are in a good condition. It only means that the County of Brant now feels that the weather has subsided enough that we can meet our required maintenance timelines.”
Environment Canada is warning of wind gusts of up to 90 km-h creating widespread blowing snow.
Five to 15 centimeters of snow are expected by Saturday morning.
Environment Canada said precipitation was expected to begin as rain or snow late Thursday before changing to rain for many areas.
“Temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday morning leading to a potential flash freeze. Rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by damaging winds, snow at times heavy, and widespread blowing snow.”
Environment Canada said that people should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.