Persistent, intense snow squalls that caused the closure of part of Hwy. 402 Wednesday were expected to gradually dissipate after sunset.
Winds are forecast to diminish and gradually become more westerly Wednesday night and as a result the squalls will shift more northerly.
Environment Canada has had a snow squall warning in effect through the day covering north and east Lambton County, London-Middlesex, Huron-Perth and beyond. The warning ended in north and east Lambton shortly after 7pm.
The 402 was closed before 8:30am from Kerwood Rd. to London due to poor to zero visibility at times and vehicle collisions. The Ministry of Transportation reported that the highway was reopened around 10pm.
Intense bands of snow in the flow of very cold arctic air over Lake Huron were affecting much of the shoreline from Kettle Point to Port Elgin.
The streamers were extending inland through Kerwood, Strathroy and London and all the way to Lake Erie.
Local snowfall rates of 10-20 cm were occurring in the strongest snow squalls and the gusty winds were causing significant blowing snow.
Meteorologist Mark Schuster says conditions will improve as winds shift again.
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OPP were advising residents not to venture into the affected areas unless absolutely necessary.