Snow squalls wreak havoc on Kincardine area

It was a rude awakening Tuesday morning as residents in the Kincardine area were kept busy cleaning snow off their cars and clearing driveways.

But that wasn't the worst of it. The heavy snowfall and high wind caused blowing and drifting snow, and snow squalls along Highway 21, resulting in rural bus routes cancelled for Kincardine schools, and no buses for schools in Ripley and Lucknow. However, all schools were open.

The snowstorm intensified throughout the day, causing event cancellations, and by 5 p.m., the Huron County OPP had closed Highway 21, from Amberley to Goderich, due to whiteout conditions. Highway 21 is now closed from Amberley all the way to Bayfield.



Blowing and drifting snow along Highway 21 at the south end of Kincardine, Tuesday afternoon



Capturing the blowing and drifting snow along Highway 21, south of Kincardine Avenue and Superheat FGH
 

Also closed are: Blyth Road from Highway 21 to Blyth; Highway 8 from Goderich to Clinton; and Highway 4 from Blyth to Clinton.
 

The Huron County OPP urges motorists to remain safe and avoid non-essential travel until the conditions improve and the roadways re-open. 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 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 communications centre, it ties up phone lines used for emergency calls.



Blowing and drifting snow along Highway 21, looking north toward Kincardine Avenue