5 police cruisers hit Saturday as gusty winter storm battered London-area roads, OPP say

A blustery and snowy winter storm brought white-knuckle driving to London-area roads on Saturday, as emergency crews tended to numerous collisions and incidents.

The storm, which passed through southwestern Ontario Saturday morning and afternoon, led to whiteout conditions and a spate of road closures across Huron, Middlesex, and Perth counties.

Sections of highways 4, 7, 21 and 23, among others, saw road closure signs put up by Ontario Provincial Police.

Some drivers didn't heed the message, they say.

At least five OPP cruisers were struck from behind by motorists who had ignored the closures, police said.

"When you see that road closed sign, it's there for a reason," Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said in a video posted to X late Saturday evening.

"You're not only putting yourself in jeopardy, you're putting first responders and those innocent motorists that are already in the ditch ... in jeopardy as well," he said.

The exact locations of the collisions were not provided, but no major injuries were reported.

Police also cautioned drivers to turn on their headlights in these types of driving conditions, as daytime running lights don't activate tail lights.

London hospital issued alert in response to collisions

First responders in London were also kept busy tending to a number of weather-related collisions.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) called a Code Orange Alert on Saturday at University Hospital due to the "number of accidents in the region which could have required a large number of patients needing care," LHSC said in an emailed statement.

A Code Orange Alert puts hospital teams on standby for a potential influx of patients, according to the statement. The alert, which is different from a formal Code Orange, was called off early Saturday afternoon.

A serious two-vehicle collision shut down the intersection of Dundas Street and Creamery Road around 5:30 p.m., but it was not immediately clear if it was weather-related.

London police had not returned a request for comment by publication.

Frigid temperatures overnight also led the Middlesex-London Health Unit to issue a cold weather alert Saturday. The alert ended Sunday morning.

Milder week expected with periods of rain

According to Environment Canada, cloudy skies and a 60 per cent chance of flurries are expected through Sunday, with a high of –6 C, feeling near –16 C.

Monday will see a mix of sun and cloud and a high of zero, while Tuesday is expecting a 60 per cent chance of showers and a high of –5 C.

Periods of rain are forecast for Wednesday, with a high of 12 C.