Bruce, Oxford, and part of Perth counties to pull ploughs in severe weather

Snow squalls and extreme cold have paralyzed much of southern and midwestern Ontario on Feb. 3, 2023, including in Wingham, Ont. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)

There’s a winter weather travel advisory as well as a blowing snow advisory in effect for much of the region — London, Parkhill, eastern Middlesex county, Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Oxford County, Kitchener, Cambridge and Region of Waterloo, are all included.

A snow squall warning is also in effect for Stratford, Mitchell, southern Perth County, Hanover, Dundalk, southern Grey County, Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, southern Bruce County, Goderich, Bluewater and southern Huron County. Several areas have pulled their ploughs off of the road due to unsafe conditions (see closures below).

According to Environment Canada, travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

OPP are warning of reduced visibility, with some areas experiencing whiteout conditions on both northbound and southbound roads. Officers have reported that sunny conditions can quickly shift to whiteouts. If travel is not essential, please stay off the roads.

The Middlesex London Health Unit and Southwestern Public Health have also issued a cold alert for Monday and overnight into Tuesday.

Road closures

A nearly 140 km stretch of Highway 21 is closed because poor weather conditions. Highway 21 is closed from Grand Bend through Bayfield, Goderich, Kincardine, up to Port Elgin.

Bruce County has pulled their ploughs off the roads, and all roads in Bruce County are considered closed.

All Roads owned and maintained by the Township of Perth East are closed due to deteriorating road conditions. Snow plows have been pulled from the roadways until such a time it is safe to operate.

The Miller Group is pulling their ploughs off the road, therefore there will be no snow removal on the Highways, 6, 10, 21, 26.

Oxford County has declared a significant weather event, snow plows are unable to keep ahead of drifting snow in rural areas outside of Ingersoll, Woodstock and Tillsonburg boundaries due to high winds. Snow plows will be pulled from the roads this evening, and will resume operating at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow, February 18.

Highway 4 is closed between Exeter and Clinton because of road conditions.

Wonderland Road North is closed from Ilderton Road to Elginfield Road due to poor visibility and road conditions.

Highway 23 is closed in both directions between Road 178, Palmerston and Elginfield Road, Elginfield.

Grey Road 18 in Georgian Bluffs is closed between Highway 21 and Concession 5 (Mennonite Corners).

Highway 10 is closed between Markdale and Flesherton in Grey Highlands

Perth Road 107 is closed from Perth Line 34 to Shakespeare at the request of the OPP.

Highway 6 is closed between Wiarton and Boat Lake Road due to a collision.

Here’s a look at the rest of the forecast

Monday: Flurries. Local snow squalls early this morning. Local blowing snow. Local amount 5 cm. Wind west 20 km/h gusting to 40 increasing to 40 gusting to 60 this morning. High minus 9. Wind chill near minus 22.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 16. Wind chill minus 20 this evening and minus 25 overnight.

Tuesday: Increasing cloudiness. 40 percent chance of flurries in the afternoon. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High minus 9. Wind chill minus 25 in the morning and minus 17 in the afternoon.

Wednesday: Cloudy. High minus 9.

Thursday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of flurries. High minus 7.

Friday: Cloudy. High minus 5.

Saturday: Cloudy with 30 per cent chance of flurries. High minus 4.