It's been a cold, wet day in much of Ontario, with Environment Canada issuing weather warnings that stretch from Timmins to Toronto and Pembroke to Sarnia.
Temperatures dropped overnight and a flash freeze warning was issued in the south-central region - meaning icy roads hampered driving Monday morning.
The frigid weather was made worse by a power outage that initially impacted around 1,000 customers in Kitchener, where a blown transformer on Pine Street near King Street knocked several wires to the ground.
Weather warnings in effect
Environment Canada says snow squalls in Southwestern Ontario have been intensified by northerly winds from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
Lambton County and western sections of Middlesex County are most affected by Lake Huron, while squalls from Georgian Bay are affecting the regions between Wiarton and Collingwood.
An additional 15-20 centimetres of snow is expected and winds gusting from 60 to 90 km/h could reduce visibility to zero. Wind warnings were issued for Sarnia and Lambton County.
A snow squall warning has been issued for: Sarnia - Petrolia - Western Lambton County - Watford - Pinery Park - Eastern Lambton County - Rodney - Shedden - Western Elgin County – Strathroy – Komoka – Western Middlesex County – London – Parkhill - Eastern Middlesex County - Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County - Wingham - Blyth - Northern Huron County - Shelburne - Mansfield - Northern Dufferin County - Bruce Peninsula - Sauble Beach – Tobermory - Owen Sound - Blue Mountains - Northern Grey County - Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale.
A snow squall watch has been issued for: Chatham-Kent - Rondeau Park - St. Thomas - Aylmer - Eastern Elgin County - Stratford - Mitchell - Southern Perth County - Listowel - Milverton - Northern Perth County - Orangeville - Grand Valley - Southern Dufferin County - Saugeen Shores - Kincardine - Southern Bruce County - Hanover - Dundalk - Southern Grey County.
School bus cancellations
Some school buses in Middlesex County were delayed Monday morning. Buses serving schools outside of the City of London were running two hours later than usual.
Buses in all zones of the Lambton Kent District School Board and in Essex County were cancelled.
All school buses and taxis serving Dufferin County and North Wellington were also cancelled.
Schools relying on bused students are closed.
Road closures
Perth County OPP are advising that Highway 8 between Shakespeare and Stratford was closed due to blowing and drifting snow.
Huron County OPP is reporting that Highway 21 from Blyth Road in Goderich, north to Amberley Road has been closed due to poor visibility.
It was also expected to be closed as far south as Bayfield Road, and Bayfield Road east to Clinton is also expected to be closed.
Meanwhile Lambton County OPP has closed Highway 402 at Kirwood Road, with zero visibility, white-out conditions and heavy and blowing snow. Falling temperatures have also resulted in icy conditions.
Police will monitor conditions to determine when the road can be re-opened.
The Western Region OPP Traffic Unit has responded to over 543 incidents related to the storm and are asking drivers to slow down.
The OPP is advising people to stay off the roads north of Toronto.
With files from The Canadian Press
