Freezing rain warning ends for Toronto and GTA

TORONTO – Environment Canada’s freezing rain warning has ended for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, Friday.

Extreme Weather Centre open

School buses were cancelled in Caledon, and in parts of Halton and Durham regions. All delays and cancellations are posted on the Extreme Weather Centre page.

Travel advisories and delays

Dozens of flights have been delayed at Pearson International Airport, Friday. Porter Airlines issued a travel advisory for flights going to Montreal and Ottawa.

Air Canada issued a travel alert for its flights out of Pearson and the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Travellers are being advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

• Click here for flight status at Pearson.
• Click here for flight status at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

The Scarborough RT line was shut down between Kennedy and McCowan stations due to weather-related conditions early Friday morning. Service resumed at around 7 a.m.

Photos: Extreme weather

• In photos: Aftermath of extreme weather in the GTA
• In photos: Freezing rain, ice pellets and snow hit GTA

Thursday’s weather recap

A mixture of rain and snow hit the Toronto area during the morning commute and afternoon Thursday, followed by a lull in time for the evening commute.

However, the roads were significantly lighter than usual Thursday as many people likely heeded warnings and decided to stay home from work or take transit instead.

By late Thursday night, however, freezing rain was reported in several areas around the GTA. The conditions continued through the overnight.

Power outages

On Friday, residents in many parts of the city woke up to a coating of ice on tree limbs and power lines. About 15,000 Toronto Hydro customers were without power at the peak of the storm, through the early morning hours.

Around 9:30 a.m., crews were called to the Dufferin and Eglinton area following the sound of three separate explosions. A business owner in the area told CityNews Channel she called 911 after she saw a live wire crash in the middle of the intersection.

Hydro received many calls throughout the early morning hours and the day, Friday, and said all power should be restored by the evening.

Tanya Bruckmueller, a spokesperson with Toronto Hydro, said if a power line is down near your home, stay clear of it, and call 416-542-8000.

Meanwhile, Hydro One crews have been busy with storm-damaged power lines from London to Kingston. At its height, 115,000 customers lost power, but it should all be restored by Friday night.

In Cambridge, nearly 30,000 residents were without power Thursday night due to the weather conditions.

In Vaughan, PowerStream reported a power outage in an area that included Steeles Avenue, Islington Avenue, Weston Road, Jane Street and Keele Street. Power was restored at around 6 a.m. Friday.

Ice falls off CN Tower

The storm resulted in dangerous conditions around the CN Tower, Friday, after a slab of ice dropped more than 500 metres from the top of the structure around 4 p.m.

The area was immediately cordoned off and signs were put in place to warn pedestrians about falling ice.

The CN Tower is a busy spot for tourists in April, who usually flock to the city once the weather improves.