THUNDER BAY – Weather Alert – Updated at 09:30EST – The snowfall warning has ended. Reports are coming in from across the city and the region on road conditions. Highway travel is not recommended, OPP have closed several highways, but those that are open remain slippery, NNL Insiders report that cleared roads are icy underneath, as snow landing on pavement likely melted and froze.
Across Thunder Bay there are numerous accidents as drivers attempt to navigate city streets. Speed is likely a factor and caution is recommended. City crews are out and have been out plowing major arteries, but side streets are not completed. Sidewalk plows are out but in some cases pedestrians may be on the sides of roads if the walkways are not plowed.
Many students are taking advantage of the ‘snow day’ and taking the day off classes, however all schools in Thunder Bay are open except as listed below.
Snow and blowing snow has been happening across the city and out into the region overnight.
Due to Poor Weather and Road Conditions All School Bus Transportation Has Been Cancelled
The following schools are cancelled for today:
- Crestview
- Five Mile
- Gorham Ware
- Kakabeka Falls
- McKenzie
- Nor’wester View
- Whitefish Valley
- Valley Central
School buses in Terrace Bay and Schreiber are also cancelled today. School buses in Nipigon are also cancelled today. In the Geraldton and Longlac areas the school buses in town are running.
Highway closures
Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon is currently (06:30EST) closed. Highway 11 between Shabequa and Ignace is currently (06:30EST) closed. Highway 17 between Nipigon and Schreiber is also closed (06:30EST)… check www.netnewsledger.com/road-conditions
In the Geraldton and Longlac areas the following highways are closed: Caramat Highway, Beardmore to Geraldton, Nakina to Geraldton, Margot Lake, and Pamela
There are weather related power outages in effect this morning. Ontario Hydro reports 590 customers in the Pass Lake and Loon Lake areas have no power. There have been crews dispatched and power should be restored by 09:00AMEST. In Oliver Paipoonge 1048 hydro customers have been impacted by a power outage. Crews have been dispatched and Hydro estimates that power should be restored by 08:00EST.
If you are planning on flying out of Thunder Bay this morning; Check the Thunder Bay International Airport for flight status. Several flights departing Thunder Bay are currently delayed.
At 1:45 AM EST Friday 23 November 2012 Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the City of Thunder Bay and for outlying areas of the region. The weather service is calling for 15 to 25 cm of snow today.
An intensifying low pressure system over Lake Superior is expected to track across Northeastern Ontario into Northwestern Quebec today.
Mild air in advance of this winter storm will be quickly pushed out by a cold front with quickly falling temperatures and snow, heavy at times, being ushered in by brisk northerly winds in the wake of the front. Total snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 cm are likely by this evening, with the highest amounts expected for regions northeast of Lake Superior.
For areas northwest of Lake Superior including Thunder Bay, 15 centimetres are expected by mid morning. The snow should taper off thereafter.
The snow may be preceded by a brief period of freezing rain and ice pellets in many localities.
Driving conditions will quickly deteriorate after the snow arrives. Motorists should be prepared for hazardous driving conditions due to accumulating snow on untreated roads and low visibility in heavy snow.
Keep up to date on the latest road conditions at www.netnewsledger.com/road-conditions
