Environment Canada warns of winter storm, with parts of GTA to receive up to 15 cm of snow

CBC
·2 min read
Environment Canada forecasts anywhere from 5 to 15 centimetres of snow in parts of the GTA on Tuesday. (Michael Wilson/CBC - image credit)
Environment Canada forecasts anywhere from 5 to 15 centimetres of snow in parts of the GTA on Tuesday. (Michael Wilson/CBC - image credit)

A major winter storm is touching down in the GTA this week, bringing heavy snowfall and a risk of freezing rain.

Toronto, along with cities in York, Peel, Halton and Durham regions, are forecast to receive 5 to 10 centimetres of snow starting Tuesday, according to Environment Canada.

In areas like Newmarket and Caledon, snow is expected to accumulate anywhere from 10 to 15 centimetres high.

For these areas, the weather agency said there's a risk of freezing rain and warns driving conditions will be hazardous, particularly into the evening as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.

In areas near Lake Ontario, Environment Canada said the heaviest snow is expected to arrive after the morning commute, but the afternoon could get messy. That's particularly the case if snow changes into rain sooner, with rainfall amounts expected to be between 20 to 40 millimetres.

The agency has placed parts of central and eastern Ontario under a storm watch, including Sault Ste. Marie and Greater Sudbury, where Environment Canada is calling for between 15 and 30 centimetres starting Tuesday afternoon.

How to prepare for your commute

Given the impending weather, drivers are encouraged to leave their cars at home and take transit, the TTC said in a release Monday afternoon.

In preparation for the storm, it says it's deploying extra employees and vehicles throughout the city that will spread salt, clear surfaces of snow. It will also run anti-icing trains to keep power rail and tracks clear of snow and ice, spray anti-icing through its transit network and provide frequent updates online, it said.

The TTC said it will be actively monitoring 56 bus stops in areas where heavy snow and freezing rain is known to impact bus service and advises customers to check if their stop is in service before traveling. Wheel-Trans service will continue, but service may be delayed.

It advises all riders find real-time updates on its website and plan for extra travel time.