Drivers in London faced challenges navigating the snow-covered streets due to a lack of appropriate tires, causing slipping and sliding during the morning commute following a significant snowfall overnight. Joel Gillard, overseeing the city’s snow plow operations, indicated that the snowfall began at approximately 4 a.m. and efforts were underway to clear the roads continuously throughout the day.
The Catholic District School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board decided to close all schools in Middlesex and Elgin county, including various towns like Strathroy, Delaware, and St. Thomas. In affected regions, school bus services were canceled, while operations continued normally in Oxford County and within London city limits.
Despite the weather challenges, schools in London and Oxford County remained open. Ontario Provincial Police reported several accidents on Hwy. 401 early in the day, urging motorists to drive cautiously due to poor visibility and road conditions. Numerous vehicles in London encountered difficulties, particularly on inclines, without proper snow tires.
Meteorologist Nedia Jagdeo from Environment Canada noted varying snow accumulation, with up to 60 cm reported further south compared to 9 cm at the London airport. Weather forecasts indicated the potential for 10 to 20 cm of snow accumulation, possibly exceeding these estimates due to the intense snow band over the London area.
Although the snowfall was expected to diminish by mid-morning, a snow squall alert remained active for London and parts of eastern Middlesex County. Looking ahead, Jagdeo predicted a warming trend in the coming days, with anticipated flurries or showers on Wednesday and a sunny high of eight degrees on Thursday.
Travelers were advised to allow extra time for their journeys, considering the road conditions. While one flight departing from London International Airport was canceled due to the snow, all other flights were set to depart as scheduled.