Winter returns to wreak havoc on Kincardine area Friday

It was a shocking return to winter, Friday morning, as Kincardine-area residents woke up to heavy snowfall and high wind, with intermittent sunshine.

The weather was rather bizarre: clear and sunny one minute, and then the next, blowing and drifting snow with white-outs. And the temperature was fiercely cold, dipping to minus-10 Celsius, but feeling more like minus-20 Celsius.

A snow squall warning was issued by Environment Canada.

At 10:50 a.m., the South Bruce OPP closed Highway 21, from Kincardine to Port Elgin, due to the high wind, blowing snow and pockets of zero visibility.

Police advised that for those who decide to travel, keep your headlights and tail lights on and clear of snow.  Remember to keep your speed down; “If you see snow, go slow.”
 

For up-to-date road/weather information, visit: www.brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions.php or call Bruce County Roads at 1-866–266-7569, Option “2”.



Highway 21, between Kincardine and Port Elgin, is closed Friday morning

By about 3:15 p.m. Friday, the Huron County OPP had closed Highway 21, from Amberley to Goderich, due to heavy wind causing white-out conditions and next to nil visibility.
 

Earlier, around 1:30 p.m., Huron OPP officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 21 at Kintail Line. A driver sustained a minor injury when her vehicle was rear-ended.
 

Motorists are reminded that driving on a closed roadway may result in a $110 fine and three demerit points, if convicted. 
     

All motorists are encouraged to check weather and road travel conditions by calling 5-1-1 or checking on-line at www.Ontario.ca/trip for up-to-date road conditions for provincially-maintained highways. This bilingual service is available 24 hours a day and provides updates on highway closures and road conditions.
 

Do Not call the OPP Provincial Communications Centre for road and weather conditions. Police will not provide this information. By calling the PCC. it ties up phone lines and personnel used for emergency calls.

Friday afternoon, all rural school bus routes had been cancelled, with parents required to pick up their children or make alternate arrangements. In-town buses only were running for Kincardine District Secondary School, Kincardine Township-Tiverton, Ecole Elgin Market and Huron Heights public schools, and St. Anthony's School.

All school buses were cancelled for Ripley-Huron Community School and Lucknow Central Public School.

The snow squalls are expected to continue through Saturday and finally ease up by Sunday. Highway 21, from Kincardine to Southampton, and from Amberley to Goderich, remained closed Friday night.



Wild, windy, winter weather returns to the Kincardine area, along the Lake Huron shoreline at Goderich Street, Kincardine, Friday afternoon