GTA deals with winter storm aftermath after being hit with snow, ice pellets, freezing rain

A winter storm brought a mix of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain to the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, resulting in dozens of collisions on the roads, transit delays, flight and school bus cancellations.

While a winter storm warning has ended, a freezing drizzle advisory is in effect for Toronto. Environment Canada says “a widespread area of freezing drizzle will linger” in the region into tonight.

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

Key details:

• A winter storm warning for Toronto has ended.
• Environment Canada has issued a freezing drizzle advisory.
• School buses have been cancelled in areas around the GTA, including Toronto
• About 160 collisions have been reported on GTA highways since 5 a.m.
• Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Here’s a look at what happened in the GTA as the storm moved through the region:

5:15 p.m. - 2,600 calls for assistance: CAA

Nadia Matos says the CAA has received about 2,600 calls, 70 per cent of which involve drivers who drove into ditches or were stuck in the snow and need to be towed.

“Generally, when we have this kind of inclement weather, people do heed the warnings and stay home. Our call volume right now is reflecting that,” Matos said, noting the CAA gets an average of 3,000 to 5,000 calls.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

4:44 p.m. - Stuck truck causing delays

A truck is causing traffic delays on Brimley Road and Applefield Drive, south of Ellesmere Road, in Scarborough, after being stuck in the snow.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

4:30 p.m. - Flights cancelled at Pearson

As of 4 p.m., more than 200 flights, 103 arrivals and 102 departures, have been cancelled at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“There has been an impact to the operations, but the flight cancellations are going down as we go through the afternoon. And there’s no precipitation at the airport, so things are slowly improving,” Sean Davidson, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said in an interview with CP24.

He noted that 5.6 centimetres of snow have fallen at the airport as of 1 p.m.

“The snow today is a lot heavier because the temperatures are around 0 C. So, that creates other challenges as well for our operations teams here. Moving heavier snow is a lot more difficult than when it’s really cold and when it’s light,” Davidson said.

He urged those who have flights this evening to check their status before coming to the airport.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

4:13 p.m. - Freezing drizzle advisory in effect

A winter storm warning for Toronto has ended, but Environment Canada has issued a freezing drizzle advisory.

The national weather agency says “periods of freezing drizzle” are possible late this afternoon through to the evening.

“As the main area of precipitation from today’s system exits the region, a widespread area of freezing drizzle will linger into tonight,” the advisory reads.

“Roads, walkways, and other surfaces will likely become icy and slippery. There is risk of injury due to slips and falls.”

Durham Region and parts of northern York Region remains under a yellow snowfall warning.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

4:06 p.m. - TTC buses stuck in Scarborough

A CTV camera captured several TTC buses stuck in the snow in the area of Midland Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East.

A similar situation was also observed on Brimley Road, south of Ellesmere Road. Several vehicles, including TTC buses, were struck on the snowy road.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

3:26 p.m. - Police respond to more crashes

Ontario Provincial Police say officers have responded to 160 collisions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area since 5 a.m.

OPP are urging drivers to be ready for changing weather conditions.

“As it gets darker and as the snow changes to ice pellets and freezing rain, be ready for slippery road conditions,” OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said in a video.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

2:23 p.m. - Line 6 service resumes

Regular service has resumed on Line 6 between Duncanwoods and Driftwood, the TTC says.

That portion of the LRT was shut down for a few hours due to a mechanical problem.

Metrolinx told CTV News Toronto that a light rail vehicle lost its overhead connection to power shortly before 10:30 a.m.

“The vehicle will be taken to the maintenance facility for further inspection and will be replaced with another LRV to reinstate regular operations,” Metrolinx said.

- Bryann Aguilar, Journalist, CP24.com

1:50 p.m. - Hwy. 401 ramp closed due to disabled tractor trailer

Ontario Provincial Police say the ramp from southbound Hwy. 401 to Kennedy Road is closed due to a disabled tractor trailer.

No injuries have been reported.

Motorists are being urged to use alternate routes.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24/ CTV News Toronto

12:50 p.m. – Precipitation will taper off by evening

CTV News Toronto Weather Anchor Lyndsay Morrison says that there is now “heavy wet snow” that is impacting parts of Toronto, as well as communities to the north and the east of the city.

She says that it is likely that there will be another couple of centimetres of snow and ice pellets landing in the GTA this afternoon before the precipitation stops later this evening.

The good news, Morrison says, is that models now suggest that the freezing rain may not be as long-lasting as initially feared.

“It is not looking like it will be quite as prolonged, the freezing rain event, for areas west of Toronto and we are going to see a little less in the way of ice accretion. Yesterday, it was seeming like we could have seen 10 or even 15 millimetres of ice buildup. That is less the case now,” Morrison said.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24/ CTV News Toronto

12:35 p.m. - Express bus routes operating as local service

The TTC says that all express bus routes are operating as local service due to the weather conditions.

There are also 48 TTC bus stops that have been taken out of service due to the slippery roads.

A full list of impacted stopes is available here.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24/ CTV News Toronto

12:05 p.m. - Orange freezing rain warnings for some Ontario communities

Orange freezing rain warnings are in effect for several Ontario communities, including Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge and the Blue Mountains.

Toronto and the GTA remain under a yellow winter storm warning. Environment Canada says that snow and ice pellet amounts of 5 to 10 cm are possible.

The weather agency says that while precipitation “will diminish in intensity by this evening, freezing drizzle may affect the area through the night.”

“Note that even a few centimetres of ice pellets can result in travel conditions that can be more hazardous than heavy snowfalls,” Environment Canada says. “Ice pellets result in reduced traction on roadways and are difficult to shovel due to their dense nature. Precipitation will diminish in intensity by this evening, although freezing drizzle may affect the area through the night.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24/ CTV News Toronto

12 p.m.- 80 collisions on GTA highways this morning

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says 80 collisions have been reported on GTA highways since 5 a.m. and 32 crashes are currently on the go.

“Snow is coming down, and the roads are slick,” the OPP said in a social media post.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

11:50 a.m.- No service on section of Finch West LRT

The TTC says there is currently no service between Duncanwoods and Signet Arrow stations due to a mechanical issue on Line 6.

“Shuttle buses are running between Humber College and Finch West,” the TTC said.

The TTC also notes that some bus stops have been taken out of service in the city due to the inclement weather.

“In areas where heavy snow or freezing rain may cause buses to become stuck, we may temporarily take select stops on certain routes out of service,” the TTC said in a post on social media.

A list of service disruptions can be found here.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

11:10 a.m.- ‘The conditions are certainly treacherous’

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said crashes are being reported across the region this morning.

“Visibility is reduced and this snow is really coming down with a vengeance,” he told CP24.

“You can see traffic behind me on the Gardiner is moving but it is moving slowly. We’ve got crashes kind of all across the region. A bunch of vehicles up on walls and into shoulders and ditches.”

He said no serious crashes have been reported in the GTA.

“Hopefully it stays like that but the conditions are certainly treacherous.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

11 a.m.- York U will provide update on afternoon classes

York University said it will provide an update at 2 p.m. on the status of afternoon classes after suspending operations at the North York campus early this morning.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

10 a.m.- Conditions ‘deteriorating’ on highways

CP24 Traffic Specialist Lisa Morales said conditions on GTA highways are starting to deteriorate with snow and icy conditions throughout the region.

“Things are deteriorating. I’m watching people drive too quickly for these conditions,” she said, as collisions begin to mount in western parts of the GTA.

“Don’t expect to go highway speed because it looks maybe in some areas like it is good, but it is not.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

9:30 a.m. - ‘It feels like Mother Nature is throwing ice bombs at us’

CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said Toronto has been on the receiving end of some of the “diciest” weather this winter.

“It is almost like someone is tossing snowballs at us that are kind of breaking apart. They are big chunks, or conglomerates, of ice pellets and snow crystals. It is quite amazing,” he said.

“It feels like Mother Nature is throwing ice bombs at us.”

He said so far this winter, storms in Toronto have really only involved snow.

“Toronto has sat for the last number of storms in that sweet spot to get some of the diciest weather. It has been snow storms up to this point. But now, this system is just going to slide through the west end of Lake Ontario and down into upstate New York, avoiding southwestern Quebec,” he said.

“We are right on that line of rain/ snow but on the cold side of it so we are getting these really big chunks of.. pure ice.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

9:20 a.m.- Toronto Hydro keeping close watch on conditions

Toronto Hydro says the city is seeing a “mixed bag of winter weather” and the utility is keeping a close eye on conditions as freezing rain can lead to ice buildup and downed powerlines.

“Our control toom and crews are ready to respond wherever they’re needed today,” Toronto Hydro said in a post on social media.

“If you’re out and about, go easy and look out for each other. Stay safe, Toronto.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

8:45 a.m.- Drivers should be alert, drive to conditions, CAA says

Nadia Matos, a spokesperson for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), said so far, they have not received a significant number of calls for service.

“We do suspect that as the day goes on, that we will see an increase of calls,” she told CP24.

“It definitely is slippery out there, and I think because we are going to be getting so many different types of precipitation today, it is even more cause for being alert, being aware, and preparing as much as possible.”

She urged drivers to make sure their windshield wiper fluid is topped up and that the snow brush is still in the car.

Driving to conditions and staying on main roads will go a long way in inclement weather, she noted.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

8:30 a.m.- Ice pellets coming down on GTA highways

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said freezing rain and ice pellets are now coming down across the GTHA.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

8:20 a.m.- How City crews prepared for storm

The City of Toronto said crews have applied salt to hills, bridges, intersections, expressways, and major roads in anticipation of today’s winter storm.

Plows will be deployed when thresholds for accumulation are met, the City said.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

7:30 a.m. - Weather transitioning in downtown core

Ice pellets have started to fall in the downtown core, CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said. The temperature is still above the freezing mark, but he noted it won’t stay that way for much longer.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

6:40 a.m.- Conditions likely to ‘intensify’ throughout morning and afternoon

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said things are quiet across GTA highways this morning but conditions could change quickly.

“When you look at those radar pictures… those bands will be coming and going throughout the day and it will intensify likely throughout the morning and afternoon and conditions will change,” he told CP24 on Wednesday morning.

“So even though we are right around the freezing mark, that is maybe a little bit deceiving for people… (it) could be slippery, could be slick, with the winds and the temperature and the precipitation, and if it is freezing rain, that will make for some interesting conditions.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

6:10 a.m.- TTC crews work overnight to treat overhead wires, rails

Susan Nguyen, a spokesperson for the TTC, told CP24 on Wednesday that crews were out overnight preparing for today’s storm, treating overhead streetcar wires and subway and LRT rails.

“We are doing the heavy lifting now to ensure that your morning commute is as smooth as possible,” she said.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

6 a.m.- School buses cancelled across GTA

School buses have been cancelled in areas across the GTA, including Toronto, due to Wednesday’s storm. A list of bus cancellations can be found here.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

5:30 a.m.- Light precipitation expected early this morning

CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said “very light” precipitation is expected up until about 8:30 a.m.

“From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., we’ll get a more consistent mix of freezing rain and snow,” he said.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., snow and ice pellets are expected, Coulter added.

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com

5 a.m.- GO Transit running on special schedule

Metrolinx says GO Transit will operate on a special schedule today due to the winter storm.

‘We always do our best to ensure that you get to your destination as close to your schedule as possible; however, we recommend allowing yourself extra time to get to where you are going,“ the provincial transit agency said on its website.

“Please remember to be careful on the train and bus platforms, in parking lots and structures, tunnels, and inside station buildings as they may become snow covered, icy and slippery.”

-Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com