Road Reports

The region is digging out following back-to-back winter storm systems that hit between Friday afternoon and overnight Saturday.

The Kenora area was hit by more snow over a 42-hour period than the city typically receives throughout an average February.

"Total [snow] amounts from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning is 23 cm (9 inches)," said David Vaggaley, Meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"The bulk of [the snow] actually occurred within the last 24-hours. 17 cm (6.7 inches) fell in the Kenora area," added Vaggaley.

An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued in the wake of back-to-back storm systems that dropped 23 centimetres of snow between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Environment Canada says windchill values overnight Sunday into Monday morning could reach -40. The agency adds that the extreme cold could return Monday evening after a brief reprieve Monday afternoon.

The City of Kenora has declared a Significant Weather Event due to the recent snowfall that has hit the city.

The city says declaring a Significant Weather Event related to snow accumulation is a way to advise residents, pedestrians, and motorists to expect winter maintenance service delays due to the current winter storm event.

The city is deploying resources to address road conditions as a result of the storm. Please be cautious on roads, sidewalks during the Significant Weather Event as road conditions can vary drastically during an event.

Ice roads in the Kenora area have been closed in the wake of an Alberta Clipper that dropped 10.4 cm of snow in the region.

The administrator for the "Winter Road Update For Kenora Area" Facebook page, Leonard Boucha, says "the ice road is closed today, due to strong winds and severe drifting."

Highway 17 remains open, at the time of publishing, but is snow-covered.

The highway is closed at Highway 11 (Hadashville) westward towards Winnipeg. It is unknown at this time when the highway will reopen.

Travel is highly discouraged.

--- Update ---

This section of Highway 1 has reopened.

--- Original Story ---

The intense snowfall Southeastern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario had overnight has caused a closure of Highway 1.

The highway is closed at Highway 11 (Hadashville) westward towards Winnipeg. It is unknown at this time when the highway will reopen.

Travel is highly discouraged.

Highway 17 remains open, at the time of publishing, but is snow-covered.

--- Update ---

The lane has been reopened.

--- Original Story ---

The westbound lane of Highway 17, between Royal Lake Rd and HWY 673, is closed due to a disabled vehicle.

Motorists are asked to use caution in the area.

It's unclear when the lane will reopen.

According to Ontario 511, Highway 17, between the Manitoba/Ontario border and HWY 72, is partly snow-covered with reduced visibility conditions.

An Alberta Clipper that barreling towards the region is expected to drop between 10 to 15 cm of snow by Sunday morning.

Environment Canada says the snow, which will be heavy at times, is expected to start this afternoon and will continue to fall into Sunday morning.

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

Travel on ice roads in the Kenora area is being discouraged as an Alberta Clipper descends on the region.

The storm is expected to drop between 10 to 15 cm of snow before Sunday morning, coupled with a south wind gusting to 50 km/h is reducing visibility on ice roads and local highways.

The administrator for the "Winter Road Update For Kenora Area" Facebook page, Leonard Boucha, says "travel on the ice road today and tonight is not recommended."

"Visibility is already very low and the storm is supposed to get worse before it gets better," added Boucha.

Motorists traveling on Highway 17 near Clearwater Bay can expect delays this morning.

One lane is blocked due to a collision, which occurred around 11:10 a.m.

It's reported that the incident is roughly 5km west of Clearwater Bay and traffic control is in place.

Traffic is expected to move slowly and drivers are reminded to drive with caution and according to conditions.

A propane leak has been reported in Dryden, causing residents in the Scott Street area to evacuate.

The Dryden Fire Service and Dryden Police Service are both reported to be on scene and have shut down Heather Drive and Scott Street. All residents are asked to avoid this area for the time being.

As well, the Dryden Fire Service says Scott Street residents have been evacuated as a precaution.

Scott Street is located off of Boozhoo Avenue and Highway 601, which connects to Heather Street behind the Holiday Inn Express off of Government Street.