The dig out has begun.
A major winter storm that swept across Ontario late Wednesday into Thursday dropped more than 15 centimetres of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain. Winter storm and snowfall warnings that had been in place were ended by Environment Canada as the powerful system moved out early in the morning. However, the impacts of the wintry mess remained. School buses in Huron-Perth and Grey-Bruce were cancelled for the day. The Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board closed all schools and school board buildings.
West Region police reported being called to various crashes, vehicles in the ditch and vehicle spin-outs.
"We're asking everyone to please take your foot off that gas pedal. Drive according to the road and weather conditions, turn your vehicle's entire head-lighting system on and just take your time," OPP Sergeant Ed Sanchuk said in a vehicle posted to social media.
He also urged drivers to clear their vehicles of snow and ice before hitting the road.
Plows are out across the region working to clear roads. However it will be an uphill battle as strong northwesterly winds will gust up to 60 kilometres an hour throughout the day, kicking up the freshly fallen snow causing drifts and reduced visibility. A blowing snow advisory has been issued for the region.
Bruce County, Grey County, the Town of Saugeen Shores, and the Township of Georgian Bluffs have declared significant weather events. The declaration is meant to notify the public that it will take crews longer than usual to bring the road conditions back to a state of repair.
Environment Canada is warning more is likely with snow squalls expected to develop off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay Thursday afternoon. A snow squall watch has been issued for North Huron County, North Perth County, Bruce County, Grey County, and North Wellington County.
The bulk of the regions could see another 10 to 20 centimetres due to the squalls, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 centimetres per hour. In Bruce Peninsula and North Grey County, the possible accumulation is higher with forecasters calling for 20 to 40 centimetres and peak snowfall rates up to 5 centimetres an hour.
"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow," the Environment Canada advisory stated. "Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination, and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone."
The snow squalls are expected to last through Friday morning.