‘Travel safely and stay warm’: Blizzard, cold warnings in effect

London and parts of the surrounding region are under blizzard and cold warnings on Friday going into the weekend. CTV's Gary Archibald breaks down the forecast.

Severe winter weather is the name of the game Friday going into the weekend, with London and surrounding areas under blizzard and cold warnings.

Areas under a blizzard warning include Huron County, London, Western Middlesex County, and Eastern Lambton County.

“A lot is taking shape this hour and will extend tonight through the weekend. We’re talking about blizzard conditions potentially,” explained CTV News Windsor Meteorologist Gary Archibald.

Strong northwesterly winds will pick up steam, with gusts in excess of 70 km/h anywhere along the eastern shores of Lake Huron from Sarnia towards Wiarton, Owen Sound, Tobermory, Southampton, Kincardine, Goderich, Grand Bend and further inland.

“That means we’re not just cold and blustery, but we’re also looking at blowing snow and drifting snow, reduced visibilities, the usual suspects through the snow belt of southern Ontario with more snow on the way,” Archibald said.

Archibald says a blanket of cloud cover with a swirling area of low pressure on the reverse side and wind fetching over the open waters of Lake Huron will lead to lake enhanced snowfall.

“And that’s where the snow, blowing snow, drifting snow, reduced visibilities and a stream of activity now through Saturday morning is setting up and underway,” he explained. “Fifteen to 20 centimeters of snowfall is possible.’

Environment Canada cautions that while London is under an orange blizzard warning, the city is not expected to see blizzard conditions but will instead see “significantly reduced visibility from local blowing snow.”

Areas near the shoreline of Lake Huron and to the northwest of London are most at risk for blizzard conditions.

The weather event is slated to begin Friday afternoon, continuing into Friday night and possibly into Saturday morning.

But it’s not just snow that people should be concerned about, Archibald cautions.

“The cold air pool dominates the Great Lakes region,” he said.

In addition to the blizzard warning, Environment Canada has also issued a yellow cold warning for the region.

There is a risk of frostbite as temperatures are set to plunge Friday night into Saturday morning, with the cold possibly pro

longing into Sunday morning.

In London, the overnight low is expected to drop to –18 C, feeling like –31 with the wind chill. Temperatures will remain frigid Saturday, with a daytime high of –13 C, and a wind chill of –30 in the morning and –23 in the afternoon.

“Wherever you are, travel safely and stay warm,” Archibald said.

Current highway closures

• Highway 21 between Amberley & Port Elgin
• Highway 9 between Bruce Road 1 & Kincardine
• Bruce Road 3 between Paisley & Port Elgin

Here’s a look at London’s long-range forecast

Friday: Flurries. Blowing snow. Local amount 2 cm. Wind becoming northwest 50 km/h gusting to 80 early this afternoon. High minus 3. Wind chill minus 8 this morning and minus 15 this afternoon.

Friday night: Flurries with risk of snow squalls. Blowing snow. Local amount 2 to 4 cm except 15 cm in snow squalls. Wind northwest 50 km/h gusting to 80. Low minus 18. Wind chill minus 15 this evening and minus 31 overnight. Risk of frostbite.

Saturday: Flurries. Risk of snow squalls in the morning and early in the afternoon. Local blowing snow. Local amount 2 to 4 cm except 5 cm in snow squalls. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. High minus 13. Wind chill minus 30 in the morning and minus 23 in the afternoon. Risk of frostbite.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of flurries. High minus 10.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 7.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of flurries. High plus 2.

Wednesday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. High plus 1.

Thursday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. High minus 1.

With files from CTV News London’s Kristylee Varley