Kincardine area hit with blizzard conditions, causing closure of roads, offices, businesses

Heavy snow, high wind and freezing temperatures blasted the Kincardine area, Monday, causing the closure of roads, offices and businesses.

The blizzard conditions blew in first thing in the morning, as school buses were cancelled in Kincardine, Ripley and Lucknow, but the schools remained open.

By 11 a.m., the South Bruce OPP had closed Highway 21, from Amberley to Kincardine, due to blowing and drifting snow and poor-to-nil visibility.

Ten minutes later, Highway 9 was closed, from Kincardine to Walkerton, due to the poor weather and driving conditions.

And by 12:45 p.m., police had closed Highway 21, from Amberley to Port Elgin, due to the persistent snow squalls. Later, it was closed from Amberley to Southampton.

In the afternoon, the South Bruce OPP temporarily closed Bruce County Road 23 (B-line), between Bruce County Road 15 and Concession 2, while vehicles were removed following a collision.

The Municipality of Kincardine closed its administrative centre, as well as the Tiverton Sports Centre, and the Davidson Centre, cancelling all programming, including swimming lessons, aquafit and lane swim in the evening.

Depending on the weather, these facilities are scheduled to re-open at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday.

Other offices and local businesses also closed early for the day.

The area is under a snow squall warning, with the blowing and drifting snow expected to continue through Tuesday. The freezing cold, brought by a polar vortex, will continue through Wednesday before warmer temperatures arrive.

As of 10 p.m., Highway 21, from Kincardine to Southampton, and Highway 9, from Kincardine to Walkerton, remain closed.



The road closed sign sits on Highway 21, north of the Kincardine Home Hardware, indicating the highway was closed from Kincardine to Port Elgin, Monday afternoon



Blowing and drifting snow across Highway 21, north of Kincardine Home Hardware, looking south, Monday afternoon



A road-closed sign on Highway 21, north of Kincardine Home Hardware, Monday afternoon