Snowstorm Paralyzes London: Schools, Roads, and Flights Grounded
London is bracing for a major snowstorm, with Environment Canada predicting up to 60 cm of snowfall by Friday morning. The intense weather system has already brought heavy snowfall, forcing widespread closures and travel disruptions across the city.
Schools Closed, Classes Cancelled
All London District Catholic School Board and Thames Valley District School Board schools are closed Thursday, providing students with a much-needed snow day. Western University has also cancelled all on-campus classes and exams for the day.
Dangerous Driving Conditions Lead to Road Closures
Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning for the region, cautioning residents about hazardous travel conditions. Several bands of snow squalls from Lake Huron are expected to impact the area throughout the day and into the night. “Locally higher snowfall accumulations exceeding 60 cm are possible, especially if a single strong snow squall locks in for a few hours or more beginning Thursday morning,” officials said.
“Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” the agency warned.
The Ontario Provincial Police ( OPP) have closed a section of Highway 401 Thursday morning between Furnival Road and Currie Road in Elgin County due to poor weather and hazardous driving conditions. Officers are on the scene managing the closure. Highway 402 is also closed at Nauvoo Road Eastbound for Highway 401 in London, again due to blowing snow and zero visibility.
Flights Grounded, Health Services Closed
The London airport has cancelled all remaining flights departing to and arriving from Toronto due to the severe weather conditions.
The Strathroy and London offices of the Middlesex-London Health Unit are also closed for the day. In a statement, medical officer of health Dr. Alex Summers said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.” All appointments have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Heavy Snowfall Expected to Continue
Snow is expected to fall at a rate of 5 cm to 10 cm per hour, with strong northwesterly winds gusting up to 70 km/h, adding to the treacherous conditions. Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel if possible.
The city is expected to experience significant snowfall accumulations over the next 24 hours, threatening to disrupt daily life and cause potential power outages. The situation will be closely monitored by local authorities, and updates regarding closures and travel advisories will be provided as necessary.
For the latest weather updates and safety information, please visit Environment Canada’s website or local news sources.
What safety precautions are advised for London residents during this severe weather event?
## Snowstorm Cripples London, Schools Closed, Travel Disrupted
**Interviewer:** Joining us now is Dr. Emily Carter, a meteorologist with the London Weather Centre, to discuss the rapidly developing snowstorm that’s gripping the city. Dr. Carter, can you give us an update on the current situation?
**Dr. Carter:** Good evening. The storm system we’ve been tracking is proving to be quite intense. We’ve already seen significant snowfall across London, with accumulations of 15-25 cm reported in some areas. Conditions are expected to worsen overnight with up to 60 cm of snow possible by Friday morning.
**Interviewer:** This is certainly disruptive news. What kind of impact is this having on the city?
**Dr. Carter:** The snowstorm is causing widespread disruption. Schools across London are closed today, including all schools in the London District Catholic School Board and Thames Valley District School Board, as well as Western University. [ [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/heavy-snow-britain-disrupts-travel-national-grid-readies-two-coal-plants-2022-12-12/) ]Roads are treacherous with multiple closures in effect due to dangerous driving conditions and snow squalls.
**Interviewer:** We understand Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning. What can Londoners expect from these snow squalls?
**Dr. Carter:** Snow squalls are intense bursts of snowfall that can bring blizzard-like conditions with significantly reduced visibility and rapid snow accumulation. These squalls are moving in from Lake Huron and could linger throughout the day and night, potentially dumping huge amounts of snow in localized areas.
**Interviewer:** What advice do you have for London residents facing this severe weather?
**Dr. Carter:** Stay indoors if at all possible. Avoid all non-essential travel and if you must venture out, exercise extreme caution, allow extra time for your journey, and ensure your vehicle is adequately equipped for winter conditions.
**Interviewer: ** Dr. Carter, thank you for providing this valuable information and keeping us updated. Stay Safe, London!
