This weekend, southwestern Ontario is bracing for cold and snowy weather, as Environment Canada has issued alerts for a blizzard and extreme cold conditions.
An orange blizzard warning is active for London, Huron and Middlesex Counties, along with eastern Lambton County. A yellow warning for extreme cold covers all of southwestern Ontario.
Blizzard conditions started Friday afternoon, with snowfall totals expected to reach around 15 to 20 centimetres by Saturday morning. The weather agency warns that strong winds gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour will create near-zero visibility at times.
“For those exposed areas, particularly near the Lake Huron shore, visibility is going to be atrocious,” said Trudy Kidd, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. “Travel will be very dangerous. It’s best to avoid it, if possible.”
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Environment Canada has issued a yellow warning for extreme cold across southwestern Ontario, and an orange warning for blizzard conditions in Huron and Middlesex Counties, as well as eastern Lambton County. (Environment Canada)
Kidd mentioned that the winter storm is linked to a low-pressure system moving into the region, combined with northwesterly winds bringing lake-effect snow squalls from Lake Huron and frigid Arctic air.
Temperatures are set to drop significantly on Friday night, with wind chill values reaching -30 C to -35 C. Kidd noted that this bitter cold is expected to persist through the weekend, hitting -13 C during Saturday’s daytime and plunging to -18 C overnight.
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Roads Closed Due to Severe Weather Conditions
The following road closures were reported as of 7:30 p. m. Friday due to “severe weather, poor visibility, and deteriorating road conditions,” according to police: Highway 23 (from Mitchell to Palmerston). Highway 21 (from Amberley to Port Elgin). Bruce Road 3 (from Paisley to Port Elgin) Highway 9 (from Kincardine to Bruce Road 1) Ilderton Road (from Denfield Road to Hyde Park Road) Additionally, multiple closures are affecting Highway 402 due to accidents. Westbound lanes are closed between Centre Road in Strathroy and Kerwood Road in Kerwood. All lanes are shut down in both directions between Mandaumin Road in Sarnia and Oil Heritage Road in Wyoming. Driver injuries from both incidents are still being evaluated by police. Earlier incidents involving a flipped transport truck and a vehicle that landed in a ditch also led to eastbound lane closures on Highway 402; those lanes have since reopened according to Ontario Provincial Police. Authorities are advising drivers exercise caution while on the roads. “The roadways are snow-covered. They’re slick, slippery, and in certain cases ice-covered,” said OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk. “So you need to reduce your speed.” Kidd shared some extra tips for anyone who must travel during the storm: make sure you have jumper cables in your car along with warm winter clothing just in case something goes wrong. If you’re going outside at all, she added it’s crucial you bundle up – frostbite can happen quickly on exposed skin when it’s windy. Kidd mentioned that the storm should calm down by the end of the weekend; only light flurries are predicted for Sunday night. “I’m expecting the worst of it will be over by then,” she said.Source link
