Snowfall warning in Toronto ends, approximately 200 collisions reported due to winter storm

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OPP reports 150 collisions in the GTHA as residents wake up to wintery conditions

Pearson posts video of snow clearing operations

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Here’s a look at school bus cancellations and weather conditions across the GTA

Multiple special weather statements in effect for Toronto, potential for freezing drizzle

The snowfall warning for Toronto has been lifted by Environment Canada after being in effect for most of the day. Other parts of the Greater Toronto Area still remain under one.

• Hourly and daily forecast, including snowfall totals. Visit our CP24.com weather hub here.

The snow has mostly transitioned to rain in many areas of the GTA this evening, however as temperatures drop down below freezing into the night, it could potentially result in icy roads.

Pearson airport experienced some flight delays as a result of the storm and school buses in parts of the GTA were cancelled on Wednesday morning.

Here’s a look at how the storm impacted the city:

6:30 p.m. - Plowing and salting will continue overnight

The City of Toronto says snow plowing will continue on all roads, even the ones that do not meet the usual plowing threshold because freezing temperatures could turn any slush into ice.

After plowing, the city says salting operations will happen on roads and sidewalk salting will continue on Thursday and possibly Friday.

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca writer

5:40 p.m. - Snowfall warning ends for Toronto

The snowfall warning in Toronto issued by Environment Canada has come to an end.

Yellow alerts still remain in effect for Newmarket, Northern York Region, Pickering, Oshawa, and the Southern Durham Region.

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca writer

5:15 p.m. - About 200 crashes reported on highways

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told CP24 that officers have responded to around 200 crashes since the snow started falling earlier this morning, but that things have settled down.

He cautioned that as things start to speed back up on roadways, drivers need to keep their guard up.

“With the numbers already at 200... and temperatures dropping, and the roads still wet, those icy sections are could be very slippery,” Schmidt said. “So, it’s just a word of caution to anyone out there. Be very vigilant as to your driving. Be aware of your surroundings.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca writer

4:15 p.m. – Plowing underway in Toronto

The City of Toronto says that salting and plowing operations are now underway across the city. The city says that plows will clear all Toronto streets today in order to prevent ice build up when temperatures plunge tonight.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

4 p.m. – Mississauga suspends street parking

The City of Mississauga has suspended all street parking effective immediately, including temporary and monthly permits. The city says that the only exception to this rule are areas where street signage explicitly permits parking.

“Avoid a fine by removing your vehicle from the street,” the city said on social media.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

3:30 p.m. – TTC reporting delays and detours

The TTC is reporting a number of delays and detours on some of its surface routes due to weather conditions. The 902 Markham Road express bus is detouring northbound via Markham Road. The TTC is also reporting weather-related delays on the 96 Wilson, 70 O’Connor and 996 Wilson Express bus routes.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

2:45 p.m. – Snow squall warnings north of the city

Snow squall warnings have been issued for several areas north of Toronto, including Barrie, Collingwood, Innisfil, New Tecumseth and Angus.

Environment Canada says that snow squalls are expected to develop off Georgian Bay later this evening and continue throughout Thursday.

It says that while the total accumulation will be “highly variable,” it is possible that some areas could see 30 to 50 cm of snow.

“Travel may be extremely hazardous. Visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Road closures are possible,” the warning states.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

1:15 p.m. – Approximately 150 collisions in GTA today

Ontario Provincial Police say that there have been approximately 150 collisions in the GTA since 5 a.m. The OPP say that the volume of collisions has resulted in “extended wait times” for roadside assistance across the GTA.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

12:35: p.m. – Snowfall much lighter downtown

CTV News Toronto weather specialist Jessica Smith says that the storm is being felt very differently depending on where in the GTA you are located. She said that total snowfall accumulation in downtown Toronto could be closer to 5 centimetres but she warns that higher accumulations are likely north of the city, perhaps even in excess of 10 cm.

“If you are in areas sort of north of Highway 401 you are looking at more so it really does depend on where you are and higher elevations are always going to get more snow. But regardless it is a messy one,” she said.

Smith said that the heavy snowfall that has fallen north of the city will start to taper off later this afternoon. But frigid conditions are in the forecast for tonight and that could create icy road conditions across the GTA.

“Whatever is on the ground the challenge later today becomes flash freezing and that kind of wet snow becoming really hard and really icy,” Smith says.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

10: 30 a.m.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told CP24 that a few buses have gotten stuck in parts of the city with steeper hills but added that those vehicles are now moving again. Salters and plows are being dispatched to those areas to prevent further disruptions to service, he said.

He said given that certain areas of Toronto are seeing varying degrees of snowfall, the TTC has to move around resources as necessary.

“Depending on where you are in the city, this is a very odd storm,” he said, adding that the downtown core is only expected to see about two to four centimetres compared to other areas, which could see upwards of 10 centimetres of snowfall today.

“We sort of have to adjust our service and move around our resources based on where the need is.”

He said everything appears to be moving well on Line 6, the new Finch LRT, this morning.

“So far we’ve had a good morning on Line 6 and the switches and heaters are working as they should,” he said.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

10 a.m. - Highway ramps a ‘mess,’ OPP say

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says that the roads across the GTA are mostly clear but he says that ramps from 400-series highways are a “mess” with “snow, slush and slippery conditions.”

He said that so far most of the collisions in the GTA have been in areas “where there is less congestion and the speed increases” as a result.

“It will be a challenging day as we go to the evening and hopefully the system is passed but then the roads are going to be wet, there is still going to be ice and snow on the shoulders and as much as the salters and plows are out there clearing the highways once we get to the freezing temperatures there is always that possibility for the icy conditions to remain,” he said.

“When the snow is gone and the speeds increase that is when we start seeing problems with people going way too fast and thinking they can go back to their regular speed because they are not stuck in congestion.”

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:45 a.m.

Toronto’s Pearson airport says six centimetres of snow has fallen at the airport since just before 3 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Ontario Provincial Police say police have responded to about 80 collisions on GTA highways since 5 a.m.. No serious collisions with injuries have been reported.

Police are reminding drivers to slow down amid the slippery conditions.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

9 a.m.

Snow is expected to continue in the GTA until later this afternoon, CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter says.

“We are into the thick of it now,” he noted. “It will wind down, taper off around 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m.”

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

8 a.m.

The TTC says it is responding to the winter storm by “actively managing conditions across its network,” including clearing snow and spreading salt on platforms, stairs, and other surfaces. It says staff are also keeping signals, switches, and overhead power operating safely. More staff have been deployed to handle the inclement weather conditions, the TTC said in a news release.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

7:30 a.m.

CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter says heavy, wet snow is more likely today in the north end of the city. He said near the lake shore, areas will see between two and four centimetres of accumulations today but much more snow is expected in the northern parts of the region.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

7 a.m.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says conditions are slick on GTA highways and traffic is moving slowly this morning. He said while police have responded to about two dozen crashes on GTA highways during the weather event so far, there are no significant collisions to report this morning.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

6:30 a.m.

The snowy conditions have prompted school boards around the GTHA to cancel buses on Wednesday morning. Buses have been cancelled in both York Region and Durham Region.

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com

6 a.m. - Toronto under yellow warning for snowfall

Toronto is now under a moderate snowfall warning with Environment Canada calling for up to 10 centimetres of snowfall in the city today.

The national weather agency says an Alberta clipper will bring a significant blast of winter weather to the region today, which may be heavy at time this morning.

“The snow is expected to taper to scattered flurries or drizzle from southwest to northeast this afternoon,” the weather advisory says.

“Lesser snowfall amounts are expected near the Lake Ontario shore where a transition to rain or rain snow mix is expected.”

Environment Canada warns that travel will “likely be challenging,” today.

“Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic,” the snowfall warning read.

“Visibility will likely be reduced at times. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Allow extra time for travel.”

- Codi Wilson, CP24.com