Intense squalls this past weekend blanketed parts of Haliburton County with more than 25 inches of snow as the Highlands belatedly transformed into its usual winter wonderland.
Environment Canada issued a winter weather advisory for Central Ontario Nov. 29, with cottage country hit hardest. Parts of Muskoka were buried under about 40 inches of snow over the weekend, with the OPP closing Hwy. 11 connecting Orillia and Huntsville. Traffic was rerouted via Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 35.
Haliburton Highlands OPP had a busy time, responding to 10 minor and one serious collision over the weekend.
One person, a man in his 20s, was airlifted to a trauma centre with “life altering” injuries following a single-vehicle collision on Kennisis Lake Road Nov. 29. Police closed the area between Growler Lake Drive and Bitter Lake Road for much of the day, reopening around 9 p.m.
Const. Rob Adams with Haliburton Highlands OPP said near-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are key factors in winter collisions.
“Stay alert to winter conditions that can change quickly, placing extra demands on your vehicle and driving skill. Drive according to the weather conditions, your ability, and allow extra travel time,” Adams said. “Conduct a maintenance check on… windshield wipers, washer fluid level, windshield defrost, and tire condition. Stock up on your winter survival kit [to keep] in your vehicle.”
Algonquin Highlands and Minden Hills each declared significant weather events Nov. 29, essentially shutting down municipal services and facilities over the weekend. The Stanhope tree lighting ceremony, set for last Friday, was cancelled.
Trillium Lakelands District School Board called a snow day, shutting down all County schools. An opening reception for the ‘Safe and Well 2’ exhibit happening at Rails End Gallery in Haliburton was rescheduled for Dec. 6.
Snow squalls battered northern parts of the County again Dec. 3. The system, moving in from Georgian Bay, dumped another 20 inches on Parry Sound, Huntsville, Bracebridge and Dorset area, according to Environment Canada.
