‘Not a great drive’: Local blowing snow to impact Friday evening commute

Patches of snowfall and strong wind gusts will be in store for the Forest City Friday and Saturday. CTV's Gary Archibald breaks it down.

Londoners can expect a light dusting of snow Friday evening and Saturday, as temperatures are set to plunge more than 20 degrees below zero on Saturday night due to wind gusts.

According to CTV News Windsor Meteorologist Gary Archibald, the London area will see snow Friday afternoon into the evening. Gusting winds of up to 50 km/h will lead to blowing show early in the evening, with total accumulations of between two to four centimeters.

“The heart of the Great Lakes to see snow, and that’s what we’ve seen through the afternoon into the evening now across southern Ontario and eventually for Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

Temperatures will hold around – 1C, feeling like – 11 in the evening and – 5 overnight with the wind chill.

“Not a great drive over the last 48 hours to the next 48 to 72. We’ll see patchy snow and maybe even some lake enhancement affecting roadways, highways and streets, of course, through the midwestern tier of Southern Ontario.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, Archibald says over the next 24 hours, London, including north of the city and further east towards the Golden Horseshoe and beyond can expect anywhere from about three to six centimeters of additional snow.

The wind will cause bitterly cold weather on Saturday as well, with daytime temperatures of – 1 C, feeling like – 7 in the morning and – 13 in the afternoon with the wind chill.

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

Friday night: Periods of snow. Local blowing snow early this evening. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light after midnight. Wind becoming southwest 20 before morning. Temperature steady near minus 1. Wind chill minus 11 this evening and minus 5 overnight.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. 70 percent chance of flurries changing to 30 percent chance of flurries in the afternoon. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High minus 1. Wind chill minus 7 in the morning and minus 13 in the afternoon. UV index 1 or low.

Sunday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 6.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with 60 percent chance of flurries. Windy. High minus 10.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Windy. High minus 11.

Wednesday: Snow. High minus 6.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. High minus 8.