Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Toronto as about 15 cm of snow is expected to fall on Friday, with faster accumulation during the afternoon into the evening hours.
“Peak snowfall rates of 2 cm per hour possible,” the weather agency said.
In its warning, Environment Canada said the snow will begin Friday morning and tapper off from the west to the east by Friday night.
“Light snow is expected to begin this morning, but should intensify late in the afternoon or evening,” the weather agency said.
Environment Canada said the snow may have “a significant impact on the evening commute in urban areas.”
They warn drivers should adjust their driving to changing road conditions as visibility may suddenly be reduced at times in heavy snow.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment Canada said.
The City of Toronto said crews have been out applying a liquid salt brine to help keep roads safe. Plows will be deployed when the snow starts to accumulate, the city said.
Vincent Sferrazza, director of operations and maintenance for the city, said the first round of salters were deployed at around 11 a.m. to the main and major roads.
“We actually salted on Wednesday, many of the roads already had a good head start,” Sferrazza told reporters in an update during the noon hour. “That would prevent frost or freezing over of the roads.”
Sferrazza said he anticipates the plowing operations to begin at rush hour when the snow is expected to quickly accumulate by the hour.
He also warned drivers to drive carefully, to leave work early if possible, to avoid parking on major roads and to not pass plows.