WATCH ABOVE: Peter Kimbell, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, told Global News on Monday that while big snow storms may not be on the horizon for February – cold weather definitely is
- Latest updates (3:30 p.m.):
- More than 230 flights cancelled at Toronto Pearson Airport
- Approximately 37 centimetres of snow fell in Windsor
- More than 20 centimetres of snow fell in Toronto
TORONTO – Over 20 centimetres of snow fell in Toronto during a large storm which started Sunday night, closing schools and ruining the morning commute for thousands across southern Ontario.
Windsor saw the most snow with approximately 37 centimetres recorded at Windsor Airport. Much of southern Ontario got more than 15 centimetres of snow, with some areas, such as Blenheim and Tilsonburg, seeing more than 30 centimetres.
READ MORE: School closures and public transportation delays for Feb.
WATCH: Heavy snowfall moving through Southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, has caused blanket conditions across major highways and roadways. Crystal Goomansingh reports.
The Greater Toronto Area saw far less than areas closer to the border with between 20 and 25 centimetres falling in Mississauga, Brampton and Woodbridge.
The city of Toronto sent out several rounds of plows and salters to clear the roads but drivers complained of long commutes across the city.
Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters shortly after the morning rush hour that the city is doing its job.
“I think there are the usual challenges with people having some issues driving,” he said. “But I think as far as our job is concerned, the salt trucks were out last night, the plows are out, they’re getting to the side streets today. It’s winter in Toronto and I think they’re doing the best they can.”
WATCH: GO service affected by winter storm
The snow began to fall Sunday evening, causing a number of accidents on roadways in and around the GTA.
The national weather service warned of hazardous driving conditions throughout Monday, as heavy snow mixed with strong, gusty winds reduced visibility to under 500 metres on many highways due to blowing snow.
The winds are combined with the cold air mass to produce windchill values ranging from minus 20 to minus 30 for regions in the winter storm warning, the weather agency said.
READ MORE: Winter storm pushing through southwestern Ontario
The snowfall in the Greater Toronto Area resulted in several school closures, bus cancellations or delays Monday morning.
The Toronto District School Board, the largest school board in Canada, said all buses were cancelled, however, schools remained open.
Many flights were delayed or cancelled as a result of the storm. More than 230 flights in and out of Toronto Pearson International Airport were cancelled as of 3:30 p.m.
Porter Airlines, which operates out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, asked passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport as cancellations and delays are expected.
READ MORE: Twitter reacts to treacherous winter conditions during #ONstorm
Meanwhile, blizzard warnings have been issued for storm-battered Maritimes.
Environment Canada issued blizzard and cold weather warnings for much of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I.
Conditions are not expected to improve until Tuesday, with temperatures ranging from -30 C to -34 C in some areas.
New Brunswick could get up to 40 centimetres of snow, while in P.E.I., snow is expected to turn to ice pellets or freezing rain.
Follow LIVE coverage of the Southern Ontario snow storm below:
To get real-time weather for your area, download the Global News Skytracker weather app.
–with a file from The Canadian Press
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