A second winter storm is approaching London just a day after the first snowfall, potentially causing hazardous road conditions and up to 30 cm of snow in some areas by Tuesday morning. Motorists are advised to avoid driving on Monday night and into Tuesday morning if they still have summer tires on their vehicles.
The initial snowfall on Sunday brought around 10 cm of snow, leading to challenging driving conditions as evidenced by 20 collisions on Highway 401 in Essex County within a five-hour span due to snow squalls. Tragically, two OPP officers sustained minor injuries when their patrol car was rear-ended while they were setting up emergency lighting to caution drivers about multiple accidents ahead.
Slick roads persisted into Monday morning’s commute, setting the stage for further snowfall anticipated to commence Tuesday evening. London and the surrounding regions are under a snow squall warning, with snowfall estimates ranging from 15 to 30 cm in certain areas.
The most intense snowfall is projected to occur after 9 p.m. ET, continuing through the early morning hours. The weather system originating from Lake Huron could produce snowfall rates of up to 10 cm per hour, leading to reduced visibility in certain areas depending on the severity of the snow squalls.
City officials in London are prepared to deploy snow plows and sanders to assist commuters during the morning rush. Joel Gillard, the city’s road operations division manager, highlighted the challenges posed by snow squalls as snow accumulation varies significantly across different locales.
Residents are urged to give space to snow-clearing crews working on Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, preparations are being made to ensure that roads and sidewalks near Victoria Park are cleared in time for the Remembrance Day ceremony scheduled for Tuesday.
Garages and tire shops in London are experiencing a surge in demand for tire changes following the onset of snow. Officials recommend equipping vehicles with winter tires for safe driving during adverse weather conditions. Mechanics emphasize the importance of booking tire appointments ahead of time to avoid the rush and ensure safety on the roads.
Despite the expected challenging driving conditions on Tuesday, weather forecasts indicate an improvement as the day progresses. Lake-effect snow is anticipated to diminish by Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures expected to rise to six degrees on Wednesday and reach 10 degrees over the weekend.