Updated at 11:15pm:
Travelling in the Midwestern Ontario region is almost out of the question on Thursday and may be again on Friday.
Widespread snow squalls and near-whiteout conditions continue throughout the region, and Environment Canada is calling for heavy snowfall arriving Friday night. Up to 20 cm of snow is expected to fall before tapering off on Saturday.
This snowstorm is expected to cause widespread poor winter travel conditions Friday night and Saturday.
A snow squall warning remained in effect Thursday night for Bruce, Grey and Northern Huron counties.
On Thursday, Perth County pulled it's plows and county roads were shut down along with provincial highways. Municipal roads in North Perth, Perth East and Perth South were also shut down. In Wellington, some roads have been reopened but plows haven't been out for most of the day.
Multiple road closures continued into Friday throughout the region. For a complete list, click here.
Hydro One was reporting that hundreds of customers were without power south of Goderich, Southampton and Wiarton at Georgian Bluffs. Power has since been mostly restored in the region.
The OPP are asking people to avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve. They have had a number of calls from stranded motorists and drivers who have driven into roadside ditches.
Despite cold weather, there was a touch of warmth near Mitchell.
A line of trucks were stuck on Thursday on Hwy. 23 near the lights at the intersection of Hwy. 8.
Mark, a driver of one of the trucks, says they benefitted from the spirit of giving as a Mitchell woman was giving out free coffees to the drivers.
He says it's nice to see something positive on a day like this, especially after being stuck for almost four hours in the current weather.
North Perth has kept its municipal office open as a warming centre.
And in the Township of Mapleton, the Alma Community Centre on Simpson St. E and PMD Arena on 68 Main St. W in Drayton are also open as warming centres.
In Wellington North, the Arthur Community Centre and Mount Forest and District Sports Complex have been opened as warming centres.
