All schools outside of London closed as 'clipper' hits Wednesday morning

All public and Catholic schools outside of London have been cancelled for the day due to poor road conditions that had already led to multiple collisions early in the morning commute.

The region is expected to see up to 20 cm of snow across through the morning, said Environment Canada meteorologist Brad Rosseau, as an Alberta Clipper moves through the province.

"As we head into the afternoon, we'll see that snow east up, probably still see some scattered flurries around the area, perhaps even some spotty drizzle," Rosseau said. "I expect some pretty hazardous travel conditions out there."

The Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board told parents early that schools in Elgin, Oxford and Middlesex counties, and the area south of the 401 between St. Thomas, would have no buses, and students could go online for school activities.

Crashes close road

Ontario Provincial Police were responding to multiple crashes on hwys. 401 and 402, including in Oxford County where the east-bound lanes had been closed overnight.

"We have snow covered roads. It's staying on the ground. They're ice covered and slippery," Sgt. Ed Sanchuck said.

"Do us a favour, and go slow and keep a lot of distance between you and other drivers."

In London, all west-bound lanes on busy Wonderland Road were expected to be closed for most of the morning after a tractor trailer jack-knifed. Veterans Memorial Parkway was also a hot spot with police responding to collisions there.

The winter weather won't ease, meteorologists said. A cooler air mass is predicted to hit the area Thursday settling over the Great Lakes bringing northwesterly winds.

That means more snow squalls starting Wednesday night and continuing throughout the next day, Rosseau said.