Environment Canada issues winter travel advisory for Toronto

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Toronto, warning of “strong wind gusts” and local blowing snow.

The statement, issued at 12:20 p.m., said there would be reduced visibility in the snow and blowing snow.

Environment Canada warned of rapid snowfall accumulations of between two and four centimetres, and “strong westerly winds gusting up to 70 km/h.”

The agency said “heavy snow” is possible early Saturday afternoon.

“Strong wind gusts and local blowing snow are likely to continue throughout the afternoon,” the advisory said.

According to Environment Canada, a sharp cold front is tracking over southern Ontario and bringing with it areas of heavy and blowing snow.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” the advisory reads. “Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.”

33:08 Global News at 5:30 Toronto: February 17, 2022

Meanwhile, in a tweet just before 12:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police said the force had responded to approximately 175 collisions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in the past 24 hours.

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“We are currently responding to 41 collisions,” the tweet read.

Similarly, the Halton Police Service said its officers had responded to a number of accidents across the region “including some vehicles that have spun out and ended up off the roadway.”

“Conditions are changing rapidly,” the force said in a tweet. “Reduce your speed if you must drive today.”