Lake-effect snow still bringing dicey travel to Ontario
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 7:28 AM - After a day of heavy snow and dicey conditions, more lake effect snow will continue to impact Ontario drivers on Wednesday.
"Lake effect snow at times heavy is affecting areas to the southeast of Georgian Bay," says Environment Canada in a snow squall warning issued early Wednesday.
An additional 10 cm of snow is possible in some places before the squalls begin to weaken. That's after up to 30 cm of snow already fell across the hardest hit areas earlier this week.
"In addition, gusty winds may create reduced visibility in blowing snow," says EC.
WATCH: Highway 400 northbound (north of Canal Road) Wednesday morning:
As the winds begin to shift to a westerly direction, there's the potential for snow squalls to develop late Wednesday afternoon off Lake Erie.
"Snow amounts of 10 to 15 cm are likely before the snow squalls end overnight," EC says.
Drivers are being warned of potentially hazardous conditions with significantly and suddenly reduced visibility.
"Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common," warns EC.
Another clipper system, although weak in nature, is expected to move in Wednesday night bringing a light dusting of snow throughout southern Ontario.
"And then we will see another system on Friday into Saturday, which brings snow for central and eastern Ontario and a a mixing event for parts of southern Ontario," says Weather Network meteorologist Matt Grinter.
TUESDAY'S TREACHEROUS TRAVEL
A clipper system followed by a round of snow squalls resulted in a dangerous day on the roads across Ontario Tuesday.
Between 5-15 cm of snow accumulated across the Greater Toronto Area during the morning rush hour, tripling commute times for several drivers as conditions deteriorated.
Intense snow squalls then blasted the region creating whiteout conditions and forcing road closures in Huron county.
Storm Hunter and meteorologist Mark Robinson was battling the roads in Woodstock where he was forced to "pull off and keep safe" at one point.
Wind and snow combine to make an insane scene here in Woodstock. @jwhittalTWN, @weathernetwork https://t.co/rbXnPYzwrs
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) January 12, 2016
Police officials are also investigating two separate fatal collisions that occurred in the GTA Tuesday night to determine if weather was a factor in either case.
One woman died after a two-vehicle crash on the QEW at the Guelph Line Bridge in Burlington just after 11 pm.
According to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, it was "quite windy" at the time and the road was "snow-covered and slippery in many conditions," 680news reports. "We'll be looking into whether road conditions or the weather conditions may have had an impact," Schmidt told 680news.
In a separate collision in Brampton, where poor weather conditions were reported as well, two people died and two others injured after a serious crash.
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