Heavy snowfall in store for Toronto as winter storm hits Ontario

Environment Canada is warning that snow currently falling in Toronto could become heavy at times on Wednesday night.

The "significant snowfall" is part of a major winter storm and could make for a messy commute home, the federal weather agency says. 

Environment Canada says snow is expected to fall until Thursday morning, and the city could receive about 15 centimetres. At the peak of the storm, snowfall rates could be two to four centimetres per hour.

Toronto remains under a snowfall warning issued on Tuesday night by Environment Canada.

Snow may become mixed with ice pellets late Wednesday evening or overnight in some areas, but it is expected to taper off gradually on Thursday morning.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Toronto police told residents to get ready for the storm.

"If you can, stay home and stay off the roads as conditions may be challenging," police said. "If you have to drive, slow down and drive according to weather conditions."

Environment Canada says visibility could be poor during heavy snow and drivers should be prepared to adjust to changing road conditions.

The following areas remain under a snowfall warning: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Uxbridge, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Newmarket, Georgina, York Region, Oakville, Halton Hills and Milton. 

A winter storm warning remains in effect Wednesday evening for Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale and Hamilton. Total snowfall amounts could reach up to 30 centimetres for Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale, with snowfall rates exceeding five centimetres an hour at their peak, and up to 15 centimetres for Hamilton, Environment Canada said.

Parking on snow routes banned from 10 p.m., city says 

The City of Toronto declared a significant weather event and a "major snowstorm condition" ahead of the winter storm. The declarations will come into effect at 10 p.m. on Wednesday. 

While these declarations are in place, parking on roads designated as snow routes is banned to make way for winter maintenance equipment, the city said in a news release Wednesday.

These routes are designated by signs that are up all year round, Barbara Gray, the city's general manager of transportation services, said during a news conference Wednesday. 

Vehicles parked on snow routes will be towed and owners could be fined up to $200, the city said. 

The significant weather event declaration means the city will be exempt from provincial service levels for winter maintenance, as it will take longer than usual to clear city roads, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. 

"We anticipate these declarations will remain in effect until Tuesday, but they could be cancelled sooner if the forecast changes and the roads are deemed safe and passable," she said. 

People are being asked to avoid plowing snow from their private property onto city roads or sidewalks. 

TTC deploying extra workers, maintenance vehicles

In a news release, the TTC advised people to take public transit instead of driving during the storm.

A planned subway closure on Line 1 between Bloor-Yonge and Osgoode stations at 11 p.m. has been cancelled on Wednesday, it said, but the closures will happen on Thursday and Friday. 

The TTC said it is deploying additional TTC employees and maintenance vehicles throughout the transit system to spread salt and clear surfaces of snow and to keep signals, switches and overhead power operating.

The transit system is also monitoring 56 bus stops in areas where buses have often had trouble stopping due to snow or ice on the ground.

In addition, the TTC said it would also do the following to ensure service runs smoothly:

• Run "anti-icing" trains to keep the power rail and tracks clear of snow and ice.
• Spray anti-icing on the streetcar overhead network and on the ground at all bus, streetcar, and subway divisions.

Thursday morning commute could also be affected

The storm is a widespread system affecting southern and eastern Ontario, according to Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada. 

Though most of the snow is expected to have fallen by Thursday morning, Coulson said ice pellets and freezing rain in some areas could create slick conditions for commuters. 

People are urged to avoid non-essential travel during the storm, Ontario Provincial Police's highway safety division said in a post on X on Tuesday night. Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate on Wednesday and Thursday, officials said. 

Several flights cancelled, Pearson Airport says

Several airlines have cancelled flights due to the storm and delays are possible, Toronto's Pearson International Airport said in a post on X on Wednesday. 

People flying on Wednesday and Thursday are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline, it said. 

Airport staff will clear snow off runways and taxiways Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, the airport said. 

Public Safety Canada said everyone is encouraged to make an emergency plan and have an emergency kit that contains drinking water, food, medicine, a first aid kit and a flashlight.