Heavy morning snowfall brings more collisions, road closures in London region

Heavy snowfall and treacherous road conditions led to some collisions and road closures across the London area Wednesday morning, despite advanced warning from meteorologists and police.

Yellow snowfall warnings were in place for much of the day in the London area, including Huron and Perth counties, with moderate winds and up to 10 cm of snow expected, thanks to a passing Alberta clipper.

All advisories were lifted by mid-afternoon, and light snow was expected to continue into the early evening, mostly impacting areas north of London.

"We're also looking in the coming days, Thursday into Friday, more lake-effect snow occurring again, but mostly to areas to the north of London," said Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"Maybe a bit of flurry activity for Thursday and Friday in the London area, but the bulk of it, the heavier stuff, likely to be to the north."

Saturday morning could see some of the coldest temperatures of the winter so far, he said, with overnight lows of -21 C expected Friday night into Saturday, not including wind chill.

"The other thing further into the future that we are keeping an eye on is a developing storm system [which is] going to get itself together late Friday in the Texas area. That could bring more general snowfall to southwestern Ontario on Sunday," Coulson said.

Wednesday morning's snow led to some collisions on London-area roads, including the 400-series highways.

Westbound lanes of Hwy. 402 remained closed at Centre Road near Strathroy as of 7 p.m. as a result of collisions between Kerwood and Nauvoo roads. Police initially closed the highway shortly after 9 a.m.

Police initially said the closure was for a single-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer, but later posted images on X showing one tractor trailer jackknifed on the highway, and another rolled onto its side.

A portion of the westbound Hwy. 401 was also closed shortly before noon at Bloomfield Road for a minor collision involving transport trucks, police said. No injuries were reported, and the highway reopened around 12:45 p.m.

In midwestern Ontario, Hwy. 21 remained closed into Wednesday evening from Amberley to Port Elgin because of poor weather, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

"We want everyone to stay safe on the roadways, so when you see snow, go slow. When you see ice, think twice," Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said in a video posted to X. Drivers should pack an emergency kit equipped with a blanket, scraper, charger, snacks and extra clothes, he said.