Snow squalls and bitterly cold temperatures have created poor driving conditions in snowbelt areas southeast of Lake Huron.
The MTO reported at mid-afternoon Thursday that Hwy. 402 was closed in both directions from Nauvoo Rd. to Hwy. 401.
Middlesex OPP Constable Max Gomez says there were multiple collisions.
"We have multiple collisions that we're responding to, no injuries reported at this point, however, lanes are being blocked, vehicles are in the median and the ditches," says Gomez.
Weather radar at midday was showing an intense snow squall extending from the Grand Bend area into the Watford and Strathroy areas west of London.
Visibility can be reduced to nil at times due to snow and blowing snow. The highway remained closed in both directions Friday morning according to OPP and the MTO.
Environment Canada has a snow squall warning in effect for north and east Lambton County, London-Middlesex and Huron-Perth. Snow accumulations of 15 cm (6 inch) Thursday, Thursday night and again Friday are possible.
Extreme cold warnings are also posted across southern Ontario with the coldest blast of Arctic air so far this winter creating wind chills near -30 C (-22 F).
Snow squalls are expected to continue north and east of Sarnia through Friday and the temperature is expected to moderate over the weekend with a seasonal high of -2 C (28 F) Sunday.
-With files from Miranda Chant