Southwestern Ontario is facing a challenging weather situation as a blizzard sweeps through the region on February 7, 2026. Environment Canada has issued orange blizzard warnings for several counties, including London, Huron, Middlesex, and eastern Lambton. A yellow warning for extreme cold is in effect across all of southwestern Ontario.
The blizzard conditions, which began Friday afternoon, are expected to bring snowfall amounts of 15 to 20 centimetres by Saturday morning. Strong winds, gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour, are creating near-zero visibility, making travel extremely hazardous. Environment Canada meteorologist Trudy Kidd warned that "For those exposed areas, particularly near the Lake Huron shore, visibility is going to be atrocious," advising against travel if possible.
Several road closures have been reported due to the severe weather. As of Friday evening, closures included Highway 23 from Mitchell to Palmerston, Highway 21 from Amberley to Port Elgin, and other routes in Bruce County. Accidents, including overturned vehicles, have further contributed to the road closures. OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk urged drivers to slow down and adjust to the road conditions.
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with wind chill values reaching -30 C to -35 C. Environment Canada advises residents to protect themselves from the cold and limit their time outdoors. Warming centers are open in several municipalities, including Stratford, Waterloo Region, and Brantford, for those needing a break from the cold. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about weather updates and road conditions through Environment Canada and local news sources.
