Midwestern

Blustery Tuesday In The Region

This early blast of winter is making driving conditions very dangerous in Midwestern Ontario today.

Snowsqualls have developed across Bruce and Grey counties. All other areas are seeing blowing snow.

Environment Canada has added a Blowing Snow Advisory to its list of Warnings and Watches for our area.

The Blowing Snow Advisory is for Huron, Perth, northern Wellington and southern Grey County.

The weather centre is forecasting a westerly wind of 50 to 70 kilometers per hour which will produce frequent low to nil visibility. Travel is expected to be hazardous because visibility can suddenly be reduced to near zero.

Visibility ranges from fair to poor at times. Roads are snowcovered and snowpacked. Plows and sanders are all out.

Perth County detachment of the OPP is urging motorists to avoid travelling.  The high winds and blowing snow are creating zero visibility conditions throughout the county.  Driving is extremely hazardous.  If on the road, motorists are urged to ensure headlights and tail lights are on and clear of snow.

The South Bruce OPP is urging motorists to consider postponing non-essential travel as conditions are deteriorating.High winds and blowing snow are creating pockets of zero visibility and very hazardous driving conditions.

The City of Owen Sound public works employees are continuing to plow to keep arterial and collector roads clear and passable. Road conditions are fair, with surfaces varying from track bare to centre bare. The Owen Sound Transit System is running about 10 minutes behind schedule.

Many school buses were cancelled this morning.

Hwy. 21 is closed from Kincardine to Southampton. Hwy. 10 is closed from Markdale north to Owen Sound. Huron County Rd. 87 is closed from Bluevale to Harriston.

The OPP report numerous collisions and vehicles in ditches.

Snowfall amounts of 10 centimeters will be possible through the morning. Squalls are expected to shift southward this afternoon and intensify. Snow amounts of up to 15 centimeters are possible under the most intense bands, beginning this afternoon.

Visibility later today could be even worse, as the westerly wind gets stronger. Localized snowsqualls are expected through the night and into Wednesday, although the intense bands will shift with a change in wind direction.

Click here for school cancellations.

Click here for a full list of road closures and conditions.

--with files from John Chippa

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