Vacation travellers and commuters may very well be in for a messy drive on Monday as a big spherical of snowfall strikes into the area. Listed below are stay updates on the state of affairs in Toronto.
4:30 p.m.
Pearson Worldwide Airport is encouraging vacationers to verify their flight standing earlier than leaving for the airport.
In a social media publish, they’re additionally advising anybody with flights within the subsequent 24 hours to offer themselves further time to reach on the airport as a result of snowfall impacting roadways in addition to operations at Pearson.
Over 100 items of snow elimination gear are on the able to assist snowing clearly operations in response to the airport.
1:45 p.m.
The TTC stated clients will expertise “longer than normal wait and travel times” on floor routes as a result of climate circumstances this afternoon. The transit company is advising riders to permit for further journey time.
1:30 p.m.
Setting Canada Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips stated immediately’s snowfall means Toronto will seemingly be in for a white Christmas this yr.
“Our dreams have come true,” Phillips advised Ontario Chronicle Toronto Monday.
He famous {that a} white Christmas is outlined by having a minimum of two centimetres of snow on the bottom and this yr.
“The snow forecast in the two days before Christmas Day will bring the two centimetres of snow required for a white Christmas,” he stated. “In total, the Toronto area is forecast to receive five to 10 centimetres of snowfall Monday afternoon and night.”
1 p.m.
Some collisions have been reported on provincial highways amid the heavy snowfall, together with a crash on Hwy. 11 close to Barrie. Police stated the collision closed the freeway in each instructions between Line 2 and Line 3 in Shanty Bay however all lanes have since reopened.
11:30 a.m.
Snow has began to fall at Pearson Worldwide Airport.
“Our teams are continuing to track the bands of snow, which are expected to be heavier tonight, to keep operations running as smoothly as possible,” an announcement from the airport learn.
“Our surface maintenance specialists are standing by to clear the taxiways and aprons to keep travellers moving safely.”
11:15 a.m.
The Metropolis of Toronto says snow is anticipated to ramp up this afternoon.
“The City continues to monitor the weather forecast and road conditions 24 hours a day and will deploy crews and equipment as required,” metropolis workers stated in a written assertion.
Crews salt roads when the snow begins and plows are deployed when snow accumulation reaches the next thresholds:
2.5 cm – expressways
5 cm – main roads, transit routes and streets with hills
8 cm – residential streets
Sidewalk and bikeway clearing begins when snow accumulation reaches 2 cm.
Climate advisories have been issued for the GTA and areas north of Toronto forward of serious snowfall on Monday.
11 a.m.
The TTC says it’s making ready for what may very well be a treacherous night rush hour within the metropolis.
“With up to 15 cm of snow forecasted to fall in Toronto today, the TTC is taking proactive measures to keep customers and employees safe while delivering as much service as possible,” the transit company stated in a written assertion.
The TTC added that further workers and upkeep automobiles are being deployed all through the system, spreading salt, clearing surfaces of snow, in addition to preserving indicators, switches, and overhead energy clear.
“The TTC will also be deploying additional buses on a route-by-route basis. This strategic measure is aimed at preserving service levels in areas where heavy snowfall or other adverse weather conditions result in significant slowdowns, detours, or disruptions,” the assertion learn.
The TTC famous that because the “storm moves in,” the transit company will monitor 56 bus stops the place circumstances could also be hazardous.
“Winter weather information signs are installed at these stops to provide valuable information to customers, including details about service disruptions and the location of the nearest in-service bus stop. By scanning a QR code on the signs, customers can easily check if their bus stop is affected by severe weather conditions.”
8:30 a.m.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt stated highways across the GTA are dry and naked now however the radar exhibits that “something is on its way” later immediately.
“It can change quickly,” Schmidt stated of street circumstances.
“The first time people realize that roads are slippery is when they are hitting the brakes… Give yourself a little extra following distance,” he stated.
“You want to be able to adjust your driving accordingly.”
7 a.m.
Pearson Worldwide Airport stated workers are making ready for the snowfall on what is often one of many busiest journey days of the yr. An estimated 127,000 travellers are anticipated to cross by all terminals immediately.
“Our surface maintenance team is prepared to clear the runways by plowing, sweeping, and blowing snow to ensure safe arrivals and departures,” the airport stated in a publish on social media.
6 a.m.
Setting Canada says Toronto stays beneath a winter climate journey advisory for Toronto and lots of components of the GTA forward of snowy circumstances that might deliver between 5 and 15 centimetres to the GTA on Monday
The nationwide climate company stated just a few centimetres are anticipated within the preliminary spherical of snowfall this morning however “another more significant round of snow” is headed for the GTA this afternoon and night.
Setting Canada has issued a snowfall warning for areas north of the GTA, together with Barrie, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Parry Sound.
In these areas, as much as 20 centimetres of snowfall is feasible on Monday, with peak snowfall charges of between two and three centimetres per hour.
“Snow at times heavy is expected to develop this morning for areas east of Georgian Bay,” the snowfall warning learn.
“Snow will taper off to flurries with a risk of freezing drizzle tonight. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
There’s a danger of freezing drizzle for Toronto and different components of the province on Christmas Eve however Christmas Day will deliver a mixture of solar and cloud and a daytime excessive simply above the freezing mark.
Cloudy skies and a excessive of two C is within the forecast on Boxing Day however hotter circumstances are on the horizon for the town.
Setting Canada is asking for a excessive of 5 C on Friday, 6 C on Saturday, and seven C on Sunday.
