Road Reports

More snow is on the way as the second Alberta Clipper this week is expected to hit the region.

Environment Canada says between 5 and 10 cm of snow will fall throughout the day tomorrow (Saturday, February 5).

The weather agency says areas near the Minnesota border could see closer to 12 cm of snow.

As a result, a winter weather travel advisory has been issued.

Peak snowfall rates of 1 to 2 cm per hour are possible tomorrow (Saturday, February 5) which will reduce visibility across the region.

--- UPDATE ---

The closed lane of Highway 17 has been reopened.

--- Original Story ---

Delays should be expected on Highway 17 east of Kenora due to a jackknifed transport.

Ontario 511 says that the eastbound lane and shoulder of Highway 17, about 30 km east of Kenora, is closed near the jackknifed transport.

Please use caution in the area.

The city has confirmed the mechanical issues have been fixed and transit is back on the road but may be a little behind. 

-----Original Story Below-----

The City of Kenora has announced a disruption to public transit. 

The city says they had to take city transit off the road due to mechanical issues. 

They are hoping to get the bus up and running and back on the road in the next hour. 

Environment Canada is reporting a significant increase in snowfall for January as the Kenora area received a total of 46.2cm throughout the month, well above the average of 28.4cm.

A recent Alberta Clipper was a large factor in snowfall totals as the region received 18cm over a 30-hour time frame between Monday and Tuesday. The forecasted total was originally anticipated between 10 and 15cm.

The City of Kenora has issued a snow removal notice that will cause traffic delays in some parts of the city.

Starting on Thursday into Friday (Feb 3, 4, 2022) snow removal operations will be taking place on Gunne Crescent, Cambrian Drive, and Amethyst Street.

The city says signs will be posted in the snow removal area to indicate “No Parking” zones. Vehicles parked in a signed zone may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

This work plan is subject to change if there is a change in weather or if emergencies and other priorities develop.

For a second time in a two-week span, Kenora has been hit with a significant amount of snow causing crews to switch into overdrive. 

From Monday night (January 31) until Tuesday (February 1) Kenora received just shy of 20 cm of snow after a westerly snowstorm blew through the area.

In terms of snow clearing efforts, Kevin Gannon, Director of Engineering and Infrastructure said crews are out of the reaction mode.

The City of Kenora says residents can expect some tough driving conditions as crews work to clear roadways in the wake of Tuesday’s snowstorm.

The City of Kenora has declared a Significant Weather Event due to the recent snowfall, which is a way to advise residents to expect delays with snow clearing work, and to expect that roads and sidewalks will be slick.

The city is now deploying resources to address the city’s road conditions, focusing on main roads and sidewalks. Crews are expected to move into residential streets once the storm ends.

The Kenora area is expected to get hit with 10 to 15 cm of snow, along with 60 km/h wind gusts that will cause poor driving conditions for motorists.

Kenora OPP Provincial Constable, Jason Canfield offered some safety tips when driving in these winter conditions.

“We just want to remind people to plan ahead, take your time when you’re going places. The roads do have ice on them,” Canfield said.

UPDATE: This section of the highway has reopened.

--- Original Story ---

Motorists traveling wanting to travel from the Kenora area to Winnipeg may want to rethink their plans. 

Manitoba 511 has confirmed that the TransCanada Highway from Hadashville into Winnipeg is closed. 

The closure is due to an Alberta Clipper making its way east from the prairies creating white-out conditions for drivers. 

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium has announced that all bus routes in Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Vermilion Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, and Upsala will be cancelled today (Tuesday, February 1).

Bimose Kiizhik bus is also cancelled.

Buses are put on hold due to hazardous road conditions.

Schools remain open.