Sarnia-Lambton escaped the brunt of a major winter storm spawned by a low pressure area originating in Texas. This area received less than 10 cm (4 in) of snow but strong northerly winds whipped the white stuff into significant drifts in areas. Environment Canada Meteorologist Etienne Gregoire says the track of the storm shifted a little bit further north. "The really heavy snow moved north by about 50 km towards Grand Bend and Goderich," says Gregoire. "We have some amounts in there in that 15 cm to 25 cm range that have been reported." Snow accumulations up to 35 cm were recorded in the Barrie area. Southwestern Ontario also received freezing rain and ice pellets. In the wake of the storm system Wednesday strong northwesterly winds set up off Lake Huron causing snow squalls. A warning was in effect for neighbouring Huron and Middlesex counties. An intense snow squall was extending inland from between Grand Bend and Goderich into the London area causing near zero visibility at times. The squalls were expected to shift and dissipate Wednesday afternoon. City Superintendent of Roads Tony D'Agostini says plowing and salting operations would continue through Wednesday. There was a truck for each of the city's 11 routes as well as four backhoes and a tractor in operation. Residents are reminded to not park vehicles on the streets and to not push or blow snow onto the roadway. School buses were cancelled in all zones across Lambton and Kent counties Wednesday.
Ice and snow covered roads in winter storm Mar. 1, 2016 (submitted photo)
