A large winter storm is expected to move into southern Ontario Wednesday afternoon heading into the evening.
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the entire region, including London, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Lambton, Grey and Bruce Counties — southern Grey County is also under a winter storm warning.
However, regions to the north of the Forest City are in for more of a wallop according to CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison, “Huron, Perth, [and] Bruce County, you’re under a snowfall warning… the winter storm warning snowfall amounts across the region will vary significantly, and any change in trajectory of this low pressure system will change snowfall amounts.”
“Significant snowfall associated with a low pressure system is possible for the area beginning late Wednesday afternoon. Confidence in the exact track of the low pressure system is uncertain at this point, but it is likely that snow will transition to freezing rain or rain late Wednesday night or Thursday morning,” warned Environment Canada in it’s special weather statement.
Environment Canada has also issued a snowfall warning for northern Huron and Bruce counties for Wednesday.
The storm is expected to come in with a fury, with many communities in it’s path preparing ahead of the large snow dump, “The current forecast models showing this storm packing a punch,” cautioned Atchison. “Some heavy snowfall - 20 to 30 centimeters expected just north of London.”
In London there is the potential for about 10 to 20 centimeters of snow.
South of London, chances of freezing rain are in the mix, “There will be some mixed precipitation along the northern shoreline of Lake Erie,” said Atchison. “Any way you look at it, heavy snowfall will be moving in, [although] It will be on the lower end, near the shoreline of Lake Erie.”
Perth County has declared a significant weather event.
“We are aware of a large weather system that will move through the Perth County region beginning Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday. This weather system is anticipated to bring heavy accumulation in a short period of time with gusty winds.” said John McClelland, executive director of public works. “Declaring a Significant Weather Event allows the County to continue road maintenance operations in a safe and responsible manner during severe and hazardous weather. County plows will continue to operate, but the difficult weather conditions can mean road maintenance may take longer than usual. County plows will operate until it is no longer safe to do so.”
All non-essential travel throughout the region is strongly discouraged. If citizens must travel, officials said to leave plenty of additional time and give snow plows extra space and distance to operate.
Here’s your London area forecast:
Wednesday: Cloudy. Snow beginning this afternoon. Amount 2 cm. Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50. High minus 3. Wind chill minus 18 this morning and minus 10 this afternoon.
Wednesday night: Snow at times heavy. Snow mixed with ice pellets late this evening and after midnight. Risk of freezing rain late this evening and after midnight. Snow and ice pellet amount 10 to 15 cm. Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light after midnight. Wind becoming west 20 before morning. Temperature rising to zero by morning. Wind chill minus 10 this evening.
Thursday: Snow ending near noon then mainly cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Risk of freezing drizzle in the morning. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature falling to minus 5 in the afternoon. Wind chill minus 13 in the afternoon.
Friday: Sunny. High minus 5.
