... and more snow!
Collingwood Digging Out Again ...
Severe Winter Weather - Round 2
Collingwood has been blasted with another round of severe winter weather. A massive storm system combined with lake-effect snow has dumped another 20 to 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the region. High winds caused severe drifting and whiteout conditions along the southern Georgian Bay shoreline.
All school buses were cancelled in the west Simcoe Weather Zone on Monday, December 13th. While there was no bus service to schools in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Stayner, Nottawa, Creemore and Duntroon, the schools remained open for those students who could get there on their own. Georgian College in Collingwood, Owen Sound and Wasaga Beach closed for the day. The Town of Collingwood closed its municipal offices at noon, sending town employees home for the rest of the day. The regular town council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, December 13th, was also cancelled. Mountain Road was closed for a portion of the day due to a traffic accident. Visibility on area roads was poor to nil at times because of the strong winds and blowing snow that caused extreme whiteout conditions. Highway 26 between Meaford and Owen Sound was closed, as was a portion of highway 26 near Stayner because of weather conditions.
The Collingwood region is received in excess of 120 cm of snow in one week. The ongoing snowfall has kept town crews busy clearing the roads and sidewalks, not to mention adding greatly to the town's 2010 snow removal expenses. Downtown Collingwood has already had two total snow removal exercises, and the snow is piled up again.
If you're looking for a positive note, the ski and snow boarding season has opened with its best conditions in recent memory. When the weather improves, local businesses are hoping to benefit from the blast of early winter with increased sales thanks to the early launch of the winter tourism season.
