HURON COUNTY – A winter storm will continue to affect Huron County and other regions with snowfall between 15 and 25 cm today, Environment Canada reports.
This Texas low has intensified into a major winter storm as it approached Southern Ontario. An expanding area of heavy snow has moved into Southern Ontario and will spread eastward this morning.
Here’s how today’s storm affects Huron County schools:
- In Goderich and area, all buses, rural and town, and all specialized transportation vehicles have been cancelled. The following schools are closed: Colborne Public School, Goderich Public School, St. Mary’s School, Goderich DCI 7/8 School and Secondary;
- In South Huron, all buses are cancelled and the following schools are closed: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Boniface in Zurich, Stephen Central, Bluewater Coast Elementary in Hensall , Exeter Elementary School, Precious Blood , South Huron District High School and 7-8 Campus. Due to extreme weather conditions, South Huron District High School and the grade 7-8 Campus, Exeter Elementary and Precious Blood are now closed;
- Holmesville PS, Huron Centennial, Huron Christian School in Clinton, Hullett PS, St. Anne’s and St. Joseph’s buses are cancelled and the schools are closed to students. The Gr. 6, 7 and 8 Dance at St. Anne’s is cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.
- Central Huron Secondary School buses are cancelled but school is open for those who can arrive safely. Clinton Public School is now closed as well and buses are cancelled;
- At Seaforth Public School and St. James in Seaforth, no buses and schools are closed as well;
- Howick Central PS is closed.
- In northern Huron, all Montgomery buses and all specialized transportation buses have been cancelled. As a result: Brookside PS, Sacred Heart School in Wingham; Maitland River Elementary School – both the Turnberry and Wingham campuses – is closed. FE Madill Secondary School (grades 7-12) will remain open for study purposes only for those who can arrive safely. There are no regular classes for students.
The heaviest snow will occur during the morning rush hour along the highway 401 corridor from London across the Waterloo region and the Greater Toronto area. Heavy snow will spread quickly east during the day to affect Kingston through Brockville to Cornwall. Strong and gusty northeasterly winds will whip up the freshly fallen snow and result in very low visibility at times in blowing snow.
Total snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres are likely across the regions. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 centimetres per hour are possible during the heaviest snow, and if this occurs, near zero visibility in the heavy snow may be a significant issue to deal with.
Hazardous winter travelling conditions from near zero visibility, areas of heavy snow and local blowing snow are expected. Rapidly accumulating snow will also contribute to dangerous driving conditions. Travel plans should be changed accordingly.
The snow will end in areas west of the Greater Toronto area late in the afternoon, in the Toronto area in the evening and overnight in easternmost sections as the storm centre moves away.
A Texas low has tracked northeast to Ohio and will follow a path over Lake Erie into Western New York State later today. The storm centre will move away tonight and merge with another winter storm forecast to affect parts of New England and the Maritimes.
Please refer to your local public forecast for further details.
