ABOVE: Global’s Mark Carcasole has the latest on this blast of winter weather – what’s closed, what’s effected, and how the city is fighting back
TORONTO – Snow and blowing snow made for a difficult commute Wednesday morning and as a winter weather system moves its way through Southern Ontario, drivers can expect the same for their drive back home this afternoon and evening.
A mix of snow and rain hit the Greater Toronto Area around 7 a.m. but changed primarily to snow through the noon hour.
Environment Canada is predicting approximately 10 centimetres of snow will be on the ground with the temperature falling to minus five degrees Celsius by early this evening.
Much of Southern Ontario is currently under a special weather statement. Environment Canada issued a wind chill warning for Toronto just after 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold weather alert on Wednesday with the temperature expected to dip to -17 overnight.
The advisory triggers additional homeless services and relaxes any existing restrictions on shelters.
The weather service says an area of low pressure from Indiana is forecast to track south of the Lower Great Lakes today with snow and blowing snow for regions just north of Lake Erie and across the Niagara region.
The snow system may become hazardous for commuting as roads may become slippery with some of the initial accumulating snow turning to ice.
WATCH: How will the winter storm effect your evening commute?
The City of Toronto will be deploying 200 salt trucks on the roads throughout the day to deal with the slick conditions.
Trevor Tenn, the city’s manager of road operations in Scarborough, said plows are deployed around the city depending on the amount of accumulated snow. Plows will deploy on expressways like the Gardiner Expressway or the Don Valley Parkway when two centimetres accumulate. Arterial roads are plowed once five centimetres hit the ground. Local roads are last to be plowed when eight centimetres have fallen.
Tenn said it can take up to 16 hours after the storm ends before all the local roads are plowed. In the interim, he advises Torontonians to avoid parking on the street if possible and exercise patience.
“We do appreciate your patience while we are plowing and if you need to contact us about roads not plowed please do that after the 16 hours to give us a chance to plow the streets,” he said in an interview Wednesday.
READ MORE: The winter that refuses to die: Cold and snow on its way…again
Post-secondary schools closed due to weather:
- Humber College
- York University
- Sheridan College
- University of Toronto (Mississauga and Scarborough campuses)
- Seneca College
- Centennial College
- OCAD University
Motorists are advised to exercise caution when travelling or commuting due to poor visibility.
The Ontario Provincial Police are reminding motorists to have their full light systems on in their vehicle.
It’s also advised to avoid distractions as much as possible and to concentrate on the road.
Meanwhile, Toronto Pearson International Airport has advised travelers to check their flight status before heading out as the snow accumulation could lead to delays during the day.
As of 3:30 p.m, a total of 340 flights in and out of Pearson had been cancelled.
WATCH: Winter weather causes cancellations, delays in Southern Ontario
Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport issued a similar travel advisory.
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