Road Reports

Environment Canada is tracking a snowstorm that is expected to hit the far north regions of northwestern Ontario.

The storm is expected to bring 10 to 20 cm of snow, strong wind gusts, and limited visibility for motorists.

Some areas are in a Snowfall Warning while others are in a Special Weather Statement. 

The affected communities are Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake, Eastern Lac Seul, Savant Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sandy Lake, Pikangikum, and Wunnummin Lake.

The City of Dryden has provided an update on their Winter Snowfall Event following the first major snowstorm that hit the region. 

Over the past two days, the City of Dryden was hit with large amounts of snow that caused accidents, traffic backlogs, and highway closures. 

Winter control operations commenced in the early morning hours of November 11, 2021. Since then, the main routes have been plowed multiple times. Highway #17 has been plowed however with the backlog of traffic plowing is limited.

After being closed for over 12 hours the Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed Highway 17 is now reopened in both directions. 

The highway was closed due to poor driving conditions, limited visibility, and heavy snowfall. 

Highways 71, and 502 have also reopened as well. 

Northwestern Ontario faced its first major snowfall of the season as almost 30 cms of snow fell in the last two days in the Kenora area. 

The OPP is advising motorists to drive cautiously - and are also encouraged to stay home if travel isn't necessary. 

The snow is flying in Northwestern Ontario as the first major snowfall hit the region causing headaches for drivers and residents.

Just under 30 cm of snow hit the Kenora area in the last two days, which may be a relief as 40-50 cm was originally predicted to fall.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued by Environment Canada on Tuesday(November 9, 2021) after a low-pressure system from the northwestern United States was bringing heavy snow and wind into Northwestern Ontario.

Northwestern Ontario got hit with its first major snowfall of the region that caused poor driving conditions, which led to many highways in the region closing. 

The snowstorm began on Wednesday evening but really picked up yesterday (November 11, 2021) where the area saw 18. 6 cm of snow, combined with strong winds. 

Kenora Detachment Commander Inspector, Jeff Duggan was able to provide an update on the aftermath of the snowfall. 

By early Friday morning, over 27 cm of snow has already fallen in the Kenora area, with another 10-15 cm expected to fall overnight before turning to flurries Friday morning.

The first snowstorm system led to the cancelation of numerous events, buses and closed a number of highways in the region, including the Trans-Canada Highway.

Highway 17 was closed at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Thursday as road conditions deteriorated in the wake of the storm. At the time of publishing this article, the highway remained closed.

The Winter Storm Warning has caused more highways in Northwestern Ontario to close.

Highway 71 has closed due to poor driving conditions and limited visibility. 

Motorists are asked to avoid the area. 

Highway 502 is closed as well due to poor road and weather conditions. 

There has been no word on when both highways will reopen.

Travelers driving north on Highway 71 may experience delays following a collision. 

A semi is disabled and has blocked one lane. Traffic control is in place and drivers are asked to use caution in the area. 

A heavy snowfall has caused very slippery roads, which has led to the closure of Highway 17.

Ontario Provincial Police have closed the highway from the Manitoba border east to Shabaqua corners. The closure is in effect for roughly 600 kilometres of highway.

There is no word on when the highway will reopen. 

You can check the current road conditions on the Fix Auto Road Report page.

If you see breaking news, call or text the Sounds and Systems Talk & Text Line at 807-468-44-87.

Highway 17 is closed in both directions, one kilometre east of Ignace, following an early morning collision.

At this time, it's unclear if there are any injuries or when the highway will reopen.

Roads in the region are reported to be slick this morning and are expected to get worse as the first winter storm of the season is expected to dump another 20 to 30 cm of snow by the end of the day.

The eastbound lane of Highway 17A, the Kenora bypass, is closed due to a jackknifed semi-trailer. Traffic control is in place.

With 20-30 cm of snow expected to fall in the region today, the Northwestern Ontario Student Consortium has cancelled all but one bus route in the region.

Pickle Lake PL81 is running today.