Severe snowfall and dangerous driving conditions caused multiple accidents and road closures around London on Wednesday morning, despite prior alerts from meteorologists and law enforcement. The London area, along with Huron and Perth counties, was under yellow snowfall warnings for most of the day, with moderate winds and up to 10 cm of snow anticipated due to an Alberta clipper passing through.
By mid-afternoon, all warnings had been lifted, and light snowfall was predicted to persist into the early evening, mainly affecting areas to the north of London. Meteorologist Geoff Coulson from Environment Canada mentioned the likelihood of more lake-effect snow in the region on Thursday and Friday, primarily impacting northern areas while London could experience some flurries.
Coulson also highlighted the expected frigid temperatures on Saturday morning, with overnight lows of -21°C forecasted for Friday night into Saturday, excluding wind chill effects. Looking ahead, he mentioned a developing storm system in Texas that could bring more snowfall to southwestern Ontario on Sunday.
The heavy snow on Wednesday morning led to road accidents in the London area, including on the 400-series highways. The westbound lanes of Hwy. 402 near Strathroy remained closed at Centre Road due to collisions between Kerwood and Nauvoo roads. Initially reported as a single-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer, police later revealed images showing one trailer jackknifed and another overturned on the highway.
Moreover, a section of westbound Hwy. 401 was temporarily shut down at Bloomfield Road around noon following a minor collision involving transport trucks, with no injuries reported, and the road reopened by 12:45 p.m. In midwestern Ontario, Hwy. 21 was closed from Amberley to Port Elgin well into the evening due to adverse weather conditions, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transportation.
Sgt. Ed Sanchuk emphasized road safety precautions in a video message, advising drivers to slow down in snowy conditions and exercise caution on icy roads. He recommended carrying an emergency kit containing essentials like a blanket, scraper, charger, snacks, and extra clothing to ensure preparedness for any unforeseen circumstances.
