London digs out of early December snow blast
Storm led to collisions, school closures after city hit by snow squall
After digging out from the season's first winter storm, some Londoners managed to find ways to enjoy the big snowfall on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, the winter blast brought some 10 centimetres of new snow and led to some school closures and long commutes. It followed a dump on Monday that brought about 30 centimetres to some areas. City plows worked to clear streets but some side streets remained unplowed by 2 p.m.
Nine London-area schools were closed for the day.
The following <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TVDSB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TVDSB</a> schools will be CLOSED today due to weather:<br><br>Medway HS<br>Centennial Central PS<br>Oxbow PS<br>Valleyview PS<br>North Middlesex District HS<br>East Williams Memorial PS<br>McGillivray Central PS<br>Parkhill-West Williams PS<br>Wilberforce PS<br><br>More info: <a href="https://t.co/zU29UDNXvc">https://t.co/zU29UDNXvc</a> <a href="https://t.co/KrZpOwqEWG">pic.twitter.com/KrZpOwqEWG</a>
—@TVDSBThe heavy snow was concentrated in areas north and east of London, with some areas south of Highway 401 receiving no snow at all.
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"Winds can be variable. They move around so they spread the misery to many areas," said Environment Canada climatologist Dave Phillips.
"It's quite an experience where you can't see the hood on your car, you can't see the hand in front of you, then you drive 20 kilometres, and you're out in the sun and the blue sky and the white puffy clouds," he added.
Phillips said that until the lakes freeze over, Londoners can expect a snowy December.
In Middlesex County, residents faced morning fog in addition to overnight snowfall, said county engineer Chris Traini.
"We saw a bit of heavier snow in the eastern and northern parts of the county yesterday, but it certainly is more widespread today," Traini said. "It's pretty much touched all sides of the county."
He said crews have been out plowing overnight.
"We're asking people to be patient while the fog slowly burns off and to continue to allow our crews to clear the snow," Traini said.
Ontario Provincial Police continued to tell drivers to avoid non-essential travel Tuesday until conditions approved. Multiple crashes were reported overnight by OPP on social media.
DEC 03: School purpose vehicles are CANCELLED for the day in the City of London, Middlesex County and Red Zone. Routes in Elgin and Oxford County will start on schedule. Visit <a href="https://t.co/nvhAoKd0jp">https://t.co/nvhAoKd0jp</a> for a list of cancelled routes. <a href="https://twitter.com/TVDSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TVDSB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LDCSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDCSB</a> <a href="https://t.co/JuhEwWXmvh">pic.twitter.com/JuhEwWXmvh</a>
—@mybigyellowbusSchool buses were cancelled in the City of London, Middlesex County and the Red Zone for the day. Routes in Elgin and Oxford County are expected to start on schedule.
The OPP warned drivers to slow down, with their social media feeds posting updates about collisions, particularly in areas north of London.
The snow dump wasn't bad news for everyone , though.
High school student Gavin Morrison had no complaints, especially when the bus to his high school got cancelled.
"I didn't have to go to school, and I got to spend all day with my friends," he said.
Morrison went to Doidge Park with his pal Boston Juusola, carrying sleds and shovels.
"We're going to build a jump, and we're going to go sledding and have some fun," he said.
Morrison also planned to help another friend who wasn't allowed to go sledding until his family's driveway was shovelled.
Melissa Lopez — originally from Colombia — went to Doidge Park with Reese, the toddler she was caring for.
"Since I arrived to Canada, this is the first time I've seen so much snow," she said. "I love it. We don't have this in my country. Maybe later, we're going to build a snowman."