Monday, February 21, 2011

Snowstorm blasts southern Ontario



Snowstorm blasts southern Ontario

Much of southern and southwestern Ontario was hit with heavy snowfall overnight, with blowing snow from brisk winds creating poor visibility in many areas.

Environment Canada said Windsor was the hardest hit, with 28 centimetres of snow overnight.

The agency had issued winter storm warnings had been for areas surrounding Windsor, Hamilton and the Niagara Region, as well as London and Sarnia on Sunday afternoon. Those warnings were withdrawn Monday morning as the low-pressure system bringing the snow moved into the Ohio Valley.

Blowing snow was causing hazardous winter driving conditions in some areas.

Near Chatham, there were reports of zero visibility in whiteout conditions.

The Greater Toronto Area picked up five to 10 centimetres, but sharp winds also whipped up a lot of the snow, reducing visibility on the roads Monday morning, CBC News meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe reported.

There were some minor crashes on roads across Toronto.

Central Ontario may be spared from the full force of the storm, but northern Ontario is dealing with bitterly cold temperatures.

Thunder Bay to Kenora will have some snow and temperatures around –19 C, but the wind chill will make it feel like –29 C.

Wawa and White River will have a high of –10 with a wind chill taking it to –37 C.