Wind warning, special weather statement in effect for London

A wind warning and special weather statement are in effect for the London area on Friday. Here's what you need to know.

While snowfall was the main story earlier in the day on Friday, strong wind gusts will take centre stage going into the evening hours.

“We’re seeing projections this afternoon through the early evening of southerly or southwesterly or even westerly winds getting up to 100, maybe 110 km per hour in terms of the gusts,” said CTV News Windsor Meteorologist Gary Archibald.

Environment Canada has issued two weather alerts for London, including a wind warning and a special weather statement.

Additional bursts of heavy snowfall are expected Friday afternoon, with an additional 5cm possible before changing to rain showers or wet flurries. Strong wind gusts of between 70 to 100 km/h are expected in the afternoon and into the evening hours but will ease off overnight.

Archibald says an “invigorated cold front” is moving through Michigan into southern Ontario over the next six to eight hours, where sustained winds in the 50 to 65 km/h range, and even up to 70 km/h for short periods of time are possible.

As a result, local utility outages are possible, and driving conditions may be hazardous in areas with heavy snowfall.

“But the heaviest snow bands lie to the north and east of the city of London. Since the ground has been so warm, relatively speaking, some of that big chunky flake snow is melting on contact. But further north towards Grey Bruce and obviously if you live in Mount Forest or Shelburne, Wiarton, Owen Sound, it’s sticking to the ground,” Archibald said.

Fluctuating temperatures will lead to there being a mix of rain and snow, with Friday’s daytime high set to reach 2 C, while the overnight low will dip down to –3 C, feeling like –10 with the wind chill.

In London, there will be a few showers or wet flurries changing to flurries, before ending around midnight. Overnight there will be a 40 per cent chance of flurries.

Archibald says when the system finally moves out, up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall in areas across southern Ontario, particularly in the midwestern region.

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

Friday: Snow changing to a few rain showers or wet flurries this afternoon. Snowfall amount 5 cm. Wind south 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming west 60 gusting to 100 this afternoon. High plus 2. UV index 1 or low.

Friday night: A few rain showers or wet flurries changing to a few flurries and ending near midnight then cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Wind west 60 km/h gusting to 100 becoming northwest 40 gusting to 60 late this evening then diminishing to 20 gusting to 40 overnight. Low minus 3. Wind chill minus 10 overnight.

Saturday: Clearing late in the morning. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light in the afternoon. High zero. Wind chill minus 9 in the morning. UV index 3 or moderate.

Sunday: Periods of snow or rain. Windy. High 9.

Monday: Rain showers or flurries. Windy. High 12.

Tuesday: Flurries. Windy. High minus 6.

Wednesday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 1.

Thursday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. High 6.