Highway 402 reopened as London, Ont. region pummeled by snow squalls, gusty winds

Drivers got another blast of winter Monday as strong wind gusts and snowsqualls battered the region.

If Londoners are feeling fed up with the rollercoaster holiday weather over the past several days, Mother Nature isn’t quite done with us yet as two weather warnings remain in place for the region Monday morning.

According to Environment Canada, an orange snow squall warning and a yellow wind warning have been issued for the London region on Monday.

Snow squall warning

The weather authority warns of “dangerous snow squalls and blizzard conditions” Monday into Tuesday, with total snowfall accumulations of 20 to 40 cm expected and blizzard conditions with “near zero” visibility.

Environment Canada says the snowfall is expected to begin in the morning along a cold front as “brief,” but “intense” snow squalls hammer the region. Temperatures will also plummet, leading to icy surfaces, with the daytime high only reaching – 5C, but feeling like – 16 with the wind chill.

Those along the shorelines of Lake Huron will also be impacted, as lake effect snow squalls off Lake Huron will also develop Monday morning, with widespread blowing snow and blizzard conditions being the main concern as northwesterly wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h are expected.

The weather event is expected to ease up Tuesday as snow squalls give way to flurries.

A full list of the regions impacted under Monday’s various weather warnings can be found on Environment Canada’s website.

Wind warning

Compounding Monday’s snowfall will also be strong wind gusts, with Environment Canada warning of wind gusts of up to 80 to 90 km/h as a cold front passes through the region.

The strong winds will begin Monday morning and are expected to ease sometime in the evening.

Environment Canada warns that local utility outages are possible, as is damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters.

Highway 402 reopens

Monday’s weather is wreaking havoc on road conditions, with a section of Highway 402 being temporarily closed as strong winds and snow squalls batter the region.

According to a social media post from OPP West Region, Middlesex County OPP closed Highway 402 westbound at Colonel Talbot Road due to a jackknifed transport truck.

OPP reopened the westbound lanes early afternoon.

No injuries have been reported.

“If you don’t have anywhere to go today, please stay home,” said Const. Jeff Hare of the Middlesex County OPP.

LPRCA issues flood watch

As strong wind gusts batter the region Monday, a flood watch has been issued for regions along Lake Erie’s shoreline.

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has issued a flood watch for regions within its jurisdiction, including the Municipality of Bayham, Norfolk County, and western Haldimand County.

The Ministry of Natural Resources Surface Water Monitoring Centre is currently forecasting water levels at Long Point are expected to peak at 1.49 m, with waves ranging from 1.87 to 3 m also being predicted for the Lake Erie shoreline.

The LPRCA advises residents and businesses in Norfolk County to be aware of flooding potentially reaching Lake Erie Flood Stage 0. More information can be found on Norfolk County’s website.

“Residents are urged to use caution and stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels,” the release reads. “Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.”

The flood watch is in effect until 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

Here is London’s long-range forecast

Monday night: Local snow squalls or flurries. Blowing snow with near zero visibility at times. Local amount 10 to 15 cm. Wind northwest 50 km/h gusting to 80. Low minus 7. Wind chill near minus 18.

Tuesday: Local snow squalls or flurries changing to flurries in the morning. Local blowing snow. Local amount 5 cm. Wind northwest 50 km/h gusting to 70 diminishing to 30 gusting to 50 in the afternoon. High minus 4. Wind chill minus 18 in the morning and minus 12 in the afternoon.

Wednesday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 5.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of flurries. High minus 9.

Friday: Cloudy. High minus 5.

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

Sunday: Cloudy. High minus 3.