The Greater Toronto Area faced significant travel disruptions on Wednesday due to a heavy blanket of wet snow. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported approximately 200 collisions throughout the region. Fortunately, no serious injuries were recorded.
Travel Conditions Complicated by Wet Snow
By late afternoon, Environment Canada issued several snowfall warnings, particularly for the southern and northern Durham Regions, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill. While Toronto’s warning was lifted shortly after it was issued, the North York area remained under a snow squall watch.
Snow Accumulation Reports
Meteorologist Henry Fung noted that Toronto received around 10 centimeters of snow on Wednesday. Various areas reported different totals:
- North York: 8.4 centimeters
- Pearson International Airport: 10 centimeters
- Richmond Hill: 13 centimeters
- Vaughan and Newmarket: 11 centimeters
An Alberta clipper weather system was responsible for the snow, and residents can expect an additional 2 centimeters before the snowfall diminishes in the evening.
Safety Precautions and Weather Impact
With a temperature drop to -9°C expected and wind chill values potentially reaching -18°C, Fung advised caution while shoveling snow due to its heavy nature. Slippery conditions are anticipated on sidewalks and roadways, making careful navigation essential.
The OPP has urged drivers to exercise extra caution. They recommended turning on headlights, safely clearing snow from vehicles, and keeping a safe distance between cars. Sgt. Kerry Schmidt remarked on the beauty of the snowfall but emphasized that driving conditions could be treacherous.
Impact on Public Services
Schools in the Greater Toronto Area remained operational; however, several school bus routes were cancelled. The affected areas included:
- Halton District School Board’s Zones 2 and 3 (north of Highway 407)
- All transportation for the York Region and York Catholic District School Board
- Peel District School Board’s Zone 3 in Caledon
- Durham Region and Durham Catholic District School Board buses
The Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board indicated that while buses would run, delays were likely due to road conditions.
To enhance commuter safety, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) deployed extra staff and implemented safety measures, including salting transit platforms and applying anti-icing solutions. Some bus stops in hilly areas were temporarily out of service during the storm.
