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Winter delivered a wallop on Thursday, prompting school closures, cancellations and a tricky morning commute.
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Environment Canada issued an orange snowfall warning for much of southern Ontario, including Brantford and the County of Brant. Norfolk County was under a less severe yellow warning. The warnings have since been removed.
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Snowfall amounts of 20 to 35 centimetres are forecast for the Brantford area causing reduced visibility at times in heavy snow and local blowing snow.
The snowfall is expected to taper off by Thursday afternoon.
Combined with the snow are very cold windchills, which make it feel like about –20C most of Thursday (the daytime high is –11C) and into Friday. Things warm up on Friday, with the temperature climbing to –3C in the afternoon.
The medical officer of health for Grand Erie Public Health has issued a cold notification for the Grand Erie Public Health region (Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk). The extreme cold can pose serious health risks, especially for those who are outdoors for long periods or without appropriate clothing, shelter or heating.
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The OPP West Region Headquarters said the weather is causing “significant disruptions on roads and highways.”
At about 9:30 a.m., Brant County OPP said all eastbound lanes of Highway 403 at Middle Townline Road were closed due to a motor vehicle collision and expected to remain closed for about four hours. Drivers can exit at the Middle Townline Road off-ramp to follow the detour route.
The weather meant another snow day for local students, with all Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board schools closed on Thursday.
There are numerous other closures, including all County of Brant customer service offices, facilities and programs, and public libraries. The Salvation Army Paris Food Bank is also closed.
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Facilities were closed in Norfolk County, with numerous recreation programs cancelled. Ride Norfolk isn’t operating on Thursday due to the inclement weather.
In a social media post on Thursday at 11 a.m., the City of Brantford said plowing and salting operations were well underway, with crews working through a second pass on arterial roads, which were 90 per cent complete. Collector roads were 50 per cent complete. Work in residential areas and on sidewalks and multi-use paths will follow. The city said the windrow clearing contractor will be dispatched later on Thursday.
The County of Brant and other municipalities are asking residents to remove their vehicles from the street so that plows can get through.
“As the snow continues today, the plows may need to clear the same roads several times,” said a notice from the County of Brant. “There are 2,200 lane kilometres in the county. This will take time. Roads are plowed in order of priority. We will get to all the streets.”
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