Winter storm: Tracking the impact in Waterloo region and Wellington County
A significant winter storm swept through southern Ontario with a Texas low bringing up to 20 cm of snow to areas including Waterloo region and Wellington County Wednesday.
Much of southern Ontario was under a snowfall warning.
Precipitation began as flurries Wednesday morning and intensified into the afternoon.
"We could see snowfall accumulations of 2 to 3 cm an hour in that late afternoon window continuing on into the evening hours," said CTV Kitchener weather specialist Will Aiello.
Dozens of collisions have been reported in the region.
"Please drive with extreme care and caution," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. "Drive to those conditions. Make sure your headlights are on and give yourself lots of distance behind traffic in front of you. Please get home safely. If you don't need to go out, wait for the system to pass."
Snowfall is expected to taper off early Thursday morning.
Accumulations of 15 to 20 cm are forecast in Waterloo region and southern Wellington County, but higher amounts are possible in some locations. Isolated power outages could also happen.
In northern Wellington County, including Mount Forest and Arthur, up to 15 cm of snow could fall.
Named for the area they originate, Texas lows track toward the eastern Great Lakes region and through one of Canada’s most populated corridors, making them particularly impactful storms.
POWER OUTAGES
Power was knocked out for around 1,300 homes and businesses in Kitchener’s Central Frederick area around 2 p.m. The cause of the outage is under investigation.
By 4 p.m., power had been restored to around 800 customers in the area and was expected back on for the remaining 500 by 5:15 p.m.
All Kitchener Public Library locations are closed Wednesday night due to the outage impacting the central branch, but are expected to reopen Thursday.
COLD TEMPERATURES ON THE WAY
As the skies clear, temperatures are expected to fall into the weekend with lows near -10 C forecast Friday through Monday.
“The mild conditions we saw through January are about to change,” Aiello said, adding temperatures will remain below seasonal through the early parts of February.
STORM EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
While many are excited for the winter activities that follow a snow dump, experts are warning to be prepared for worst case scenarios as well.
"We're hoping this is the start of winter for us," Bill Creighton, CEO of Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort said Tuesday. "Ski conditions here on the runs we have open are fabulous. What this new snow will do is help us get the rest of the resort open and running."
Certified emergency manager Dave Colvin is hoping to remind people that storms can create dangerous conditions as well.
"Don't underestimate weather," said Colvin. "This is Canada, eh? We're going to get snow, but there are risks."
Colvin says the storm around Christmas served as a warning about the severity of winter weather.
"You're going to have bad driving conditions, you're going to have poor visibility, and it's time to rethink travel," said Colvin. "You've got the warning. You don't want to end up in the ditch or on Highway 401 or stuck in traffic."
He adds that residents should bundle up and check on vulnerable loved ones. For those that have no option but to drive, vehicles should be equipped for the conditions and the possibility of getting stuck on the road.
"Fill your vehicle up with fuel," said Colvin. "Charge your cell phone up and have it available, and if you're out driving, know where the heck you are."
With the possibility of power outages, Colvin advises keeping propane and emergency kits on hand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.