Easter storm dumps snow across region

Not quite a visit from the Easter bunny but the region got a holiday surprise Sunday morning as a sudden winter storm dumped about 20 cm (eight inches) of snow here, with another 2-5 cm (one inch-two) expected to accumulate by the end of Monday.
The U.S. National Weather Service reported the snowfall brings the total amount this month to 30 cm (12 inches) and the seasonal total to 132 cm (51.8 inches).
With all the accumulation and blowing snow, several area highways were closed, including Highway 11 between Nickel Lake and Atikokan, Highway 502 to Dryden, Highway 17 from Kenora to Thunder Bay, Highway 11/11B in the Atikokan area, Highway 622 between Ignace and Atikokan, and Highway 72 from Dinorwic to Sioux Lookout.
Most of the highways have since re-opened.
The 3:35 p.m. Grey Goose bus from here to Thunder Bay was cancelled Sunday and went out at 9 a.m. on Monday after the highway to Atikokan was re-opened.
Buses to Winnipeg weren’t delayed Sunday.
Despite the poor visibility and snow-covered roads, no serious accidents were reported in the area. “We responded to a few small accidents. But nothing requiring medical attention,” said Greg Allan of the Fort Frances Fire Department.
Police confirmed there were no major accidents.
At the Fort Frances Airport, superintendent Bill Caul said business wasn’t affected by the weather since no flights were scheduled due to the Easter Sunday holiday.
Any flights today will be on schedule, he added. “We were here at 5:30 a.m. clearing the snow away. And yesterday, they were out here plowing away, too.”
Still, the storm forced Union Gas Ltd. to delay starting its scheduled pipeline maintenance work at Central Avenue and Fourth Street West until Tuesday, said team leader Gary Smith.
Technicians will be on site Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. putting a new coating on the pipeline. The work is scheduled to wrap up May 4.
Meanwhile, for everyone grumbling about the sudden return of winter, there is relief in sight as the forecast calls for temperatures up into the 10 C (50 F) range by later this week.