Schools were closed and commuters faced severe delays on Thursday morning as heavy snow continued to hammer much of southern Ontario, blocking streets and forcing cars into ditches.
Environment Canada said regions including the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener and Hamilton are expected to see up to 35 centimetres of snow into Thursday afternoon, prompting orange alerts under the agency's new colour-coded system to indicate risk level. Orange alerts are less common and reserved for weather that's likely to cause significant disruption or damage.
Toronto, York, Peel and Halton Region schools closed Thursday morning, and post-secondary schools including the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University announced their campuses were closed.
Environment Canada said the Ottawa area will also see up to 35 centimetres of snow, tapering off Thursday evening. It added that northerly wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour will result in blowing snow and reduced visibility, and a sharp temperature drop will cause very cold wind chills.
Provincial police advised residents to stay off the roads if possible, as officers have responded to dozens of collisions and cars in ditches since 5 a.m. Police said there were multiple road closures across southern Ontario, including parts of Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.
Highway 403 ramps near the Burlington and Hamilton border were closed due to struck tractor trailers but all lanes have since reopened, OPP said. Toronto police said parts of the Don Valley Parkway were also closed due to several minor collisions and black ice.
Both Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cancelled public events Thursday due to the inclement weather.
At Toronto's Pearson airport, officials said air traffic management procedures are in place due to the weather. The airport's website showed that most departing and arriving flights were delayed or cancelled Thursday morning.
Travellers were advised to check their flight status before coming to the airport, where snow clearing operations are underway.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
