Even with traffic banned from many highways in the area, emergency crews had to contend with the removal of dozens of vehicles trapped by the deep and still accumulating snow.
A little before 9:00 a.m., Ontario Provincial Police closed Hwy. 402 from Kerwood Rd. to Hwy. 401 due to multiple accidents. Sections of some roads north of London were also closed due to road and weather conditions. Some affected routes were Highways 21 and 8 near Godrich, Hwy. 9 from Kincardine on Lake Huron to Walkerton and Hwy. 4 between Exeter and Clinton.
At this point, mid afternoon Wednesday, a snow squall warning is still in effect for London, the surrounding area plus many points north. With winds gusting to 50 km/h and the temperature steady near minus 15, school buses in the region were cancelled.
The media is reporting that Western Region Sgt. David Rektor advises motorists to stay off area roads until the weather improves. Locally heavy snowfall and dense patches of windblown snow are causing dangerous whiteout conditions in many places.
According to weather information provided by Environment Canada, the fiercest of the local snow squalls are expected to end this evening but blowing snow will continue to be a problem. Winds of 30 km/h are expected.
Thursday the snow is forecast to return but with only light accumulation, in the range of two cm. Unfortunately for those who must be on the road, winds may gust to 60 km/h, resulting in a return of blowing snow and visibility concerns.
Friday continues the winter onslaught with a 60 percent chance of snow flurries and snow squalls. It may be Saturday before a mix of sun and cloud marks the end of this bout of severe winter weather.
