‘Travel will be challenging’: Snowfall warning issued for London, Ont.

A snowfall warning has been issued for the London region. Here's CTV's Julie Atchison with what people need to know.

A snowfall warning has been issued ahead of an Alberta clipper set to move into the London region and neighbouring counties during the overnight hours.

A brief system moved through the London region late Tuesday morning into early afternoon bringing along a light dusting of snowfall. According to CTV News London Meteorologist Julie Atchison, however, there’s more where that came from as Environment Canada has issued a yellow snowfall warning for the London region.

Atchison says the region will see low overcast conditions for the rest of the afternoon but there is the potential for some patchy freezing drizzle anytime after 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. The overnight low will hold steady at 0C.

The snow will continue overnight and into Wednesday morning, and due to a strong southerly flow, areas along the northern shoreline of Lake Erie will see a bit of a wintery mix, Atchison adds.

Total snowfall accumulations of between 10 to 20 centimeters are expected.

“The winds will shift to the northwest and that’s when we activate the lake effect of snow coming off Lake Huron through Huron County, Middlesex County, and Eastern Elgin,” she said.

Following the passage of the clipper, the snow is expected to transition to showers or flurries throughout the day Wednesday. The region will also see gusty winds of 40 km/h and gusts of up to 60 km/h and a daytime high of 2C.

“Take your time this afternoon as you head out and as you head home for the day,” Atchison said. “Expect some greasy road conditions right across the region.”

Snowfall warning

According to Environment Canada, heavy snow and local blowing snow are expected beginning overnight and ending Wednesday morning or early afternoon, prompting the issue of a yellow

snowfall warning.

Total snowfall amounts of between 10 to 20 centimeters are expected, while visibility due to heavy snow and blowing snow will be impacted.

“Travel will likely be challenging. Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will likely be reduced at times,” Environment Canada said. “Allow extra time for travel.”

The following regions are under the yellow snowfall warning:

• London - Parkhill - Eastern Middlesex County
• Strathroy - Komoka - Western Middlesex County
• Bruce Peninsula - Sauble Beach - Tobermory
• Saugeen Shores - Kincardine - Southern Bruce County
• Wingham - Blyth - Northern Huron County
• Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County
• Hanover - Dundalk - Southern Grey County
• Owen Sound - Blue Mountains - Northern Grey County
• Sarnia - Petrolia - Western Lambton County
• Stratford - Mitchell - Southern Perth County
• Watford - Pinery Park - Eastern Lambton County
• Woodstock - Tillsonburg - Oxford County

In addition, London and neighbouring counties also find themselves under a freezing drizzle advisory for Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Environment Canada says patchy freezing drizzle has developed over some locations and will be difficult to detect, leading to icy surfaces.

Here’s a look at the rest of the forecast

Tuesday night: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries this evening and after midnight. Snow beginning after midnight. Risk of freezing drizzle this evening and after midnight. Amount 10 cm. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. Temperature steady near zero.

Wednesday: Snow changing to rain showers or flurries in the morning then to flurries in the afternoon. Snowfall amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming northwest 40 gusting to 60 late in the afternoon. High plus 2. UV index 1 or low.

Wednesday night: Flurries or snow squalls. Low minus 5.

Thursday: Flurries or snow squalls. High minus 4.

Friday: Cloudy. High minus 3.

Saturday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. High minus 6.