High wind, blowing snow cause closed roads, schools in Kincardine area

For the third time in two weeks, the Kincardine area has been hit with high wind and blowing and drifting snow, causing the closure of roads, schools and offices, Monday morning.

Environment Canada had issued a high-wind warning for the area, and then, a snow squall warning.

School buses were cancelled for Kincardine, Ripley and Walkerton, followed by the South Bruce OPP reporting the closure of Highway 21, from Amberley to Tiverton, at 7:30 a.m., due to high wind, blowing snow and heavy drifting. Not much later, the schools in Kincardine and Ripley were closed.

By 10:45 a.m., Highway 21, from Amberley to Port Elgin, was closed.

Kincardine District Senior School secondary students, who have begun exam week, were instructed on which exams would be written through the rest of this week.

The Municipality of Kincardine closed the Municipal Administrative Centre, switching its budget discussions to an on-line meeting. Also closed, were the Tiverton Sports Centre, the pool at the Davidson Centre, and the Underwood Community Centre.

Programs at the Davidson Centre were cancelled, but it remained open for drop-in activities, rentals and health club use.

Saugeen Street, from Kingsway to Broadway, in the Town of Kincardine was closed due to heavy drifting and poor visibility. Crews were busy clearing snow that was blocking the road. And Sideroad 5S, from the Southline to the Huron-Kincardine West Boundary, was also closed due to heavy drifting.



Crews work to clear the snow off Saugeen Street, Kincardine, which was closed from Broadway to Kingsway, Monday, due to high wind and heavy drifting

Municipal operations crews reported that all rural roads were in poor condition due to heavy drifting, and they asked that residents stay at home and off the rural roads so they could complete their work.

In anticipation of worsening weather conditions across the region, Bruce County transportation and environmental services advised motorists to reconsider travel plans and stay off the roadways if there was no need to travel.

"High winds and blowing snow are creating significant drifts, low visibility, and slippery roads," stated the department.

"Roadways are becoming impassable, some road closures have been put in place, and motor vehicle collisions and abandoned vehicles are being reported. Weather conditions are expected to worsen through Monday evening into Tuesday."

As of 6 p.m., Highway 21 was closed, from Goderich to Southampton, and Bruce County Road 23 was closed, from Concession 5 to Bruce County Road 15, Kincardine, due to high wind, blowing snow and heavy drifting.

By 8 p.m., Bruce County Road 3 was closed, from Highway 21 to the Town of Paisley.

For winter road conditions and road closure information, visit www.brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions. And for provincial highway closures, visit 511on.ca”.

The snow squall warning remains in effect for the area through to Tuesday night with heavy snow and high winds. The forecast calls for a cold, snowy week.



Crews clear snow off Saugeen Street in Kincardine, which was closed from Broadway to Kingsway, Monday



Blowing snow on Saugeen Street, Kincardine



A wintry sky over Lake Huron, from Saugeen Street, Kincardine



Crews work in the blowing snow along Saugeen Street, Kincardine, Monday