Difficult driving conditions continue, snowfall projected to decrease overnight

Thursday night weather update A persistent snowsquall is set to migrate away from London, CTV Meteorologist Julie Atchison explains.

Note: This article is being regularly monitored and updated. All information is current as of 10:41 p.m., Dec. 5, 2024.

With snow squall warnings and watches covering most of southern Ontario, snowfall continued to batter the region tonight as the winds picked up and decimated visibility on roads.

“Snow squall warnings continue across the area – a snow squall locking in over the city of London. As you move through the late evening, that snow squall will wind down and move out of the city,” said CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison.

Although that means that the area around London and to the north will be off the hook for the time being, that does mean that some of our neighbours will be getting a piece of the action, “This squall will migrate it’s way toward Strathroy, Glencoe, Petrolia, overnight and then as we head through the early morning hours it will shift back.”

That being said, this system is running out of steam, and is set to break on Friday, “snow fall rates will be minimal with this as it weakens as we head into Friday morning,” assured Atchison.

Friday is set to be the light at the end of the tunnel, “Still the risk for flurries first thing in the morning, but breaking out of this weather pattern,” said Atchison.

If you still have snow on your laneway, now is a better time to get it out of your way, “As we head into the weekend temperatures are set to climb… with rain in the forecast on Monday,” warned Atchison.

Perth County has officially declared a Significant Weather Event. This declaration applies to all county roads and does not apply to local township roads or provincial highways.

"We have seen substantially deteriorating conditions across our road network due to increased snowfall and high winds. Visibility is extremely poor and we want to ensure our Plow Operators are able to continue their work safely, and this declaration helps us keep everyone safe,” said John McClelland, director of Public Works. “Declaring a Significant Weather Event allows the County to continue road maintenance operations in a safe and responsible manner during severe and hazardous weather. County plows will continue to operate, but the difficult weather conditions mean road maintenance may take longer than usual. County plows will operate until it is no longer safe to do so."

Power Outages

London Hydro

Hydro One

Road Closures

Hwy 401 was closed due to a multi-vehicle collision for most of the afternoon, however, all lanes have since reopened.

Huron OPP has closed Bluewater Highway/Highway 21 between Bayfield and Grand Bend

Hwy 21 is aslso closed between Amberly Road and Concession 6 in Port Elgin

Road Conditions

Please note that these road conditions are current as of 10:41 p.m., for most up to date road conditions visit ON511

Highway 401

Ridgetown to 402 - reduced visibility, snow covered

402 to Ingersoll - snow covered

Highway 402

Sarnia to Watford - clean roads

Watford to 401 - snow covered

Highway 3

St. Thomas to Simcoe - clean roads

Highway 4

Arva to Exeter - snow covered

Exeter to Clinton - snow covered

Highway 7

Stratford to Elginfield - snow covered

Highway 8

Goderich to Stratford - snow covered

Highway 19

Tillsonburg to Ingersoll - clean roads

Highway 21

402 to Grand Bend - reduced visibility, snow covered

Grand Bend to Bayfield - closed, reduced visibility, snow covered

Bayfield to Goderich - snow covered

Goderich to Amberly - snow covered

Amberly to Port Elgin - closed, snow covered

Highway 40

Wallaceburg to Point Edward - clean roads

 

Cancellations and school closures

Huron-Perth

Bruce-Grey

London-Middlesex-Elgin-Oxford

TVDSB: All schools, education and distribution centres are closed Thursday due to inclement weather.Students will be able to access independent learning activities from their classroom's digital platform.

AMDSB: All AMDSB schools and buildings are closed today. Teachers will post activities for students to do independently on Google Classroom. No new material will be provided.

LKDSB: Thamesville Area Central School is closed today due to a power outage

Fanshawe College: All campuses of Fanshawe will remain open with online and in-person classes opearting as scheduled. Anyone required to attend campus should do so as long as they can do it safely.

Western University: Due to observable and changing weather conditions, Western is closed Dec. 5. All in-person classes and exams are cancelled. Where possible any course instruction that can happen online should continue.

MLHU: The Strathroy and London Offices of the Middlesex-London Health Unit are closed today due to the winter storm

City of London: The City of London is shuttering all facilities due to inclement weather this afternoon – with in person services being suspended. Services can still be accessed online, and all facilities are expected to reopen tomorrow – Friday, December 6.

Here’s your London area forecast

Tonight: Snow squalls and flurries. Local blowing snow. Local amount 15 to 25 cm. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 70. Low minus 6. Wind chill near minus 14.

Friday: Flurries ending near noon then cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries. Risk of snow squalls in the morning. Local amount 5 cm. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High minus 3. Wind chill near minus 12. UV index 1 or low.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of flurries. High minus 1.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 4.

Monday: Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of showers. High 6 degrees.