New Years Travel

Update 10AM: It has been a nasty morning on the roads in eastern Ontario. Gusty winds and dropping temperatures have created the ideal situation for black ice. The Kemptville Fire Department has responded to at least 5 accidents in our immediate area. All were single vehicles rolling into the ditch on the 416. The photo above is our rescue unit responding and passing by a fallen tree from Sunday's storm.

Brockville Recorder and Times photo of wind damage Sunday.

It is a silly morning along the 416 in Kemptville. The light snow overnight, about 2cm, has been driven around by 40-60km/h winds as a front races by again. The temperatures are beginning to slowly drop and this has resulted in icy roads. KFD and the OPP were called to a semi in the ditch near Oxford Station Road, this was followed by two more rollovers near Beach Road and the 416 just south of Kemptville.

Drivers need to slow down. The number of crashes and cars in the ditch this winter has been unreal. I have travelled hundreds of kilometres and trust me if you put winter tires on and adjust your speed to the weather (SUV's included!) you will arrive.

The New Years Forecast is looking more wintry then the Christmas one was. At this time we are on a conveyor belt of fast moving west to east weather systems. One this morning, another tonight and yet another on Friday. These will bring light snow and gusty winds. In between we can expect sunny and cold weather. It will drop to -15C in the light snow tonight, and not much warmer than that on Wednesday. The good news is that New Years Eve and day will be dry. Slow down, and drive safe.

Hydro One still has about 70,000 customers without power from the storm on Sunday. They were hampered by 90km/h winds again in parts of the province. It may be the balance of the week before full power is restored. The wind on Sunday not only closed the 401 in several spots but also County Road 44 in Kemptville, and Rideau River Road because of downed power lines. The Thousand Islands Bridge at Mallorytown was also closed after the wind toppled a 5th wheel from Quebec onto its side. The bridge remained closed for 5 hours.