HWY 21 Closed Goderich To Amberly – Snow Squall Warning Still In Effect

Snow squall warning in effect for:

Listowel – Milverton – Northern Perth County
Wingham – Blyth – Northern Huron County
Long lived snow squalls are occurring. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.

Snow squalls have developed in the northwest flow of very cold arctic air over the Great Lakes. Local snowfall rates of 10 to 15 cm per 12 hours are possible. Should a snow squall lock in over a particular locale, which is possible especially for Simcoe County, local snowfall amounts of 30 cm are quite likely by early this evening,

Trained spotters have measured snow amounts of 10 cm at Orillia and 15 cm at Horseshoe Valley this morning. Very low to nil visibility was also observed by the spotters, and in some web cams during the strongest snow squalls.

Motorists should be prepared for sudden dangerous winter driving conditions due to nil visibility in bursts of heavy snow and local blowing snow. Highway 21 is closed from Goderich to Amberly because of the snow squalls.

As the winds slowly become more westerly later this afternoon, the snow squalls will slowly drift northward out of the regions this evening except possibly in Grey and Bruce Counties and perhaps parts of Simcoe county near Midland and Orillia where they may still be an issue to deal with.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably, changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Road closures are likely. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

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