Toronto could see 40 cm of snow in storm that shuttered schools, stretches of major highway

schooltime closures, rock-bottom pass across: GTA blame with winter storm

Torontonians are digging out after a sizable storm hit the city Thursday, with Environment Canada now warning that parts of the GTA could be blanketed with 40 centimetres of snow by the time this blast of winter weather tapers off.

A number of crashes and reports of black ice forced the city to temporarily close the Don Valley Parkway on Thursday, while most major school boards in the Greater Toronto Area also closed due to heavy overnight snow that has continued throughout the day.

And because Mother Nature must have a sense of humour — all this commuting chaos comes exactly 27 years after former mayor Mel Lastman called in Canada's military to help dig the city out of a snowstorm.

Police reopened the Don Valley Parkway Thursday afternoon, after portions of the well-used highway were closed during the morning commute. The move was in part made to support snow-clearing efforts, according to police.

People across the GTA are rethinking their day due to school closures and travel challenges.

A total of 20 to 40 centimetres of snowfall is expected by the time the storm is done, with warnings of reduced visibility due to heavy and blowing snow, said Environment Canada.

An orange snowfall warning is in place for much of the Greater Toronto Area, including York, Durham and Peel regions.

According to Environment Canada, orange alerts are uncommon and signify severe weather that may cause "significant damage" and "disruption."

Why wasn't Environment Canada's orange snowfall warning issued sooner?

The wintery weather is expected to taper off Thursday afternoon around 3 or 4 p.m., said meteorologist Shem Willie with Environment Canada.

While a high of -9 C is forecasted, it'll feel more like -24 due to wind chill, he said.

Commuter Jonathan Jackson was among those in Toronto braving the snowfall Thursday.

"I think I only went about two or three blocks, but it was awful," he said. "I was walking in the streets by accident, thinking it was the sidewalk."

Meanwhile, resident Darin Schmidt said "it's about time" Toronto had some snow.

"As far as being in it, I got no problem," Schmidt said. "I'm an outdoor weather guy anyways. I played in the snow as a kid all the time."

Both Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cancelled public events Thursday due to the inclement weather.

In a winter update, Chow said 1,300 city staff and contractors were working to clear snow, with another 100 to be deployed in priority areas.

She said that all city services are now centrally co-ordinated through its emergency operations centre, which she called an improvement from the city's past management of winter storms.

"This co-ordination, this collaboration means that we're getting the right information out quickly, clearing roads and sidewalks efficiently and keeping essential services running," said Chow at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Several school boards — including Toronto's public and Catholic boards, as well as the Halton, York and Peel boards — made the call Thursday morning to either cancel school bus service or completely shut down for the day.

Meanwhile the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board decided to keep their doors open, but cancelled transportation services throughout the region.

Line 6 shuttered service between Humber College to Finch West station as of as 7:46 a.m. Thursday due to weather conditions, according to TTC Service Alerts on social media. That closure has continued into the afternoon, with crews "actively working to restore service," according to the transit organization's website.

It was the second time service shut down along the Finch West LRT after an earlier closure from switch issues caused by the inclement weather, said TTC spokesperson Susan Nguyen.

Finch LRT uses same switches as Ottawa's plagued transit line

The TTC's website also lists multiple bus stops that are not in service due to the harsh winter conditions.

Metrolinx is reporting that a Lakeshore East GO Train struck a plow between Eglinton and Guildwood stations around 2:14 p.m. Officials say they are working with emergency crews to provide service through the area, but cautioned that delays should be expected. No injuries were reported, according to police.

GO Transit was still reporting several delays through parts of its system Thursday afternoon.

Drivers throughout the region are being warned of a "messy" and "treacherous" commute due to the build up of snow, said Sgt. Kerry Schmidt with the Ontario Provincial Police.

"We got some other ramps that are closed, cars spinning out and we're responding to them as quickly as we can," Schmidt said.

If possible, he advised people to stay home and avoid being on the roads until the winter weather passes through.

Schmidt said drivers should be cautious, leave extra space between vehicles and try not to pass plows and salters working to clear roads.

OPP warns drivers of messy and potentially hazardous conditions

Both of Toronto's airports are also grappling with the snow.

Crews are continuously carrying out snow clearance of the airfield at Toronto Pearson International Airport, according to a post from airport officials on social media Thursday.

It said air traffic management initiatives were in place due to the weather, which may impact some flights going in and out of Toronto.

Billy Bishop Airport had also been hit with delays and cancellations through the day, but some flights were arriving and departing.

Travellers at both airports are urged to check their flight status prior to arrival.

Traveling Thursday? Here's what you need to know about possible delays at Pearson

City crews will run multiple rounds today with snow plows and salters to clear roads, sidewalks and bikeways, said City of Toronto spokesperson Russell Baker.

Snow clearance will prioritize getting to expressways and major roads while flurries accumulates, he said, adding side streets will be addressed later on.

Baker said warming centres will remain open for anyone looking for shelter with access to food and community services. Two additional surge warming centres will open Thursday at 5 p.m.

Most of the city's child-care centres remain open except for those located at Toronto schools, said the City of Toronto on social media. It added that after-school programs were also cancelled for the day.

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