As heavy snow blankets the Greater Toronto Area, several municipal services have been impacted due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
Environment Canada, which has issued a severe orange weather warning, said snow accumulation may near or exceed 50 centimetres, particularly for southern areas of Etobicoke and Mississauga. Peak snowfall rates range from five to eight centimetres per hour.
Residents are being warned of dangerous travel conditions, including the possibility of near-zero visibility at times.
Prior to Sunday’s storm, Toronto had already recorded 105 centimetres of snow this winter, Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips told CBC Toronto Sunday afternoon — that’s nearly double what the city normally gets between November and January.
“[Toronto and the GTA] is absolutely going to be the snowiest place in Canada today,” he said. “The amounts of snow are quite impressive.”
Phillips said about 18 centimetres of snow had already fallen as of 2 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest impacts to transit, flights and your municipality.
Service cancellations on TTC, over half of Pearson flights cancelled
Across the city, 48 bus stops are not in service to avoid the risk of buses getting stuck in the heavy snow, according to the TTC’s website.
Commuters taking transit are encouraged to plan ahead and take extra time for travel, said the TTC on social media.
Service on Line 2 resumed between Kipling and Islington stations after it temporarily shut down at two instances for a switch issue, the transit organization said.
Service on Line 2 was down once again between Victoria Park and Kennedy stations Sunday afternoon due to weather conditions, the TTC said in a post to social media. Service on Line 2 between Jane and St George stations was also down due to the storm.
On Sunday afternoon, the TTC also said there was no service on Line 1 between Lawrence and St Clair stations due to weather conditions.
The TTC also said shuttle buses are running along Line 6 as of 11:29 a.m. In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the TTC said there is no service between Finch West and Humber College stations due to a mechanical problem.
CBC News reached out to the TTC for comment.
About 60 per cent of Pearson International Airport’s departing flights over the next 24 hours and 62 per cent of arriving flights over the next 24 hours have been cancelled as of 11:15 a.m. Sunday, according to the airport’s website.
According to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s website, 23 departing flights and 22 arriving flights have been cancelled on Sunday.
PHOTOS | Sunday’s blizzard slams Toronto:
Roads will be slippery and snow-covered throughout the day Sunday and possibly Monday, said Toronto police on social media.
It reminded residents to not park in snow routes and steer clear of snowplows.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, Toronto police said a snowplow struck a gas line in the area of Queen Street W. and Niagara Street. Businesses and residents from Claremont Street to Manning Avenue were being evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
Toronto Fire told CBC Toronto 40 people were evacuated.
Toronto police said a TTC bus would serve as a shelter. Sidewalks and roadways on the block are closed.
In a post to social media Sunday, the Ontario Provincial Police said it has responded to approximately 100 collisions in the past 24 hours.
“No reports of any serious collisions so far,” the OPP said. “#EyesUp, slow down, drive safe. Be prepared for treacherous driving conditions. Stay home if you can.”
Toronto libraries closed, schools monitor weather
The City of Toronto has declared a significant weather event and activated its major snow event response plan.
The city’s plan means its emergency operations centre will be activated to coordinate resources, communications and operations across divisions. It also means support staff will be redeployed to assist with snow clearing, inspections and towing.
It also means there will be enhanced parking enforcement and towing strategy to remove vehicles obstructing snow routes and winter operations crews.
Plowing has started on expressways and major roads as snow begins to accumulate, said the City of Toronto on social media.
It said city crews will be out around the clock to ensure clear access to roads, sidewalks and bikeways.
“Please stay home if you can and if you must travel, stay safe and give crews space to safely perform their work,” said the city.
At a news conference Sunday evening, the city’s manager Paul Johnson said no parking is allowed on major snowplow routes as of 4 p.m. Sunday. He said crews are focusing on Scarborough first and transit routes have priority.
Johnson added it will be a challenge to move around Monday.
“Give yourself extra time if you have to go anywhere tomorrow morning. It’s a work day, we know,” he said. “This is going to take us into Monday, there’s no question about it.”
Johnson said there will three rounds of plowing Sunday and multiple more overnight.
Staff are monitoring the weather and will update websites if there are any closures or impacts to secondary exams for Monday, said the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board on social media.
Exams cancelled on Monday will be rescheduled for Thursday, said the TCDSB’s website.
Heavy snow fell near Scarborough’s Rouge Tank on Sunday morning as a severe winter storm warning is in effect for the Greater Toronto Area. (Submitted by Anojan Sukumaran)
The city announced several cancellations of its services on social media, including:
- Recreation programs at schools.
- All registered and instructional programs on Sunday afternoon.
- Outdoor skating lessons.
- Museum and cultural centre closures.
- All library branches are closed.
- Outdoor ice rinks may close temporarily for snow clearing.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the city said all community centres, arenas and outdoor rinks will close at 6 p.m.
The Toronto District School Board said on social media that all permits for school usage on Sunday have been cancelled.
The University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus was closed Sunday due to hazardous conditions. Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus was also closed due to severe weather Sunday.
Mississauga: Street parking restriction to come at 2 p.m.
In a news release Sunday evening, Peel Region declared a significant weather event and urged residents to stay off roads.
A citywide parking restriction will be issued at 2 p.m. Sunday to suspend all street parking, including temporary and monthly permits, said the City of Mississauga on social media.
It said cars found blocking snowplow routes will be fined.
Libraries, city hall and outdoor rinks are closed, while community centres and arenas will close at noon, due to the heavy snow, said the city.
Transit service may face delays or cancellations as weather conditions change through the day, said Mississauga transit service MiWay on social media.
Brampton libraries closed due to ‘treacherous weather’
Libraries throughout Brampton are closed as of 11:52 a.m. due to the “treacherous weather,” said Brampton Libraries on social media.
Community recycling centres throughout Peel Region were closed as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday to ensure the safety of staff and residents, said the region on social media.
It said centres will re-open at regular hours on Monday depending on the weather
Vaughan says help needed to clear catch basins
Service Vaughan received a large number of calls Sunday about blocked catch basins and fire hydrants, said the City of Vaughan.
It’s requesting residents to help clear any blockages seen in their neighbourhoods.
The city declared a significant weather event Sunday morning and said it might take longer than usual to clear roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.
Community centres and libraries in Vaughan remain open for the time being.
