Freezing rain warning issued for GTA

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the GTA and Hamilton — which includes Toronto and the regions of Halton, Peel, York and Durham.

The agency said ice pellets and freezing rain are possible in the area Sunday into the overnight as the snow changes to rain.

Heavier snow — 15 to 20 centimetres — is forecast overnight into early Monday morning for areas east of Georgian Bay, including Barrie.

Peter Noehammer, director of Toronto’s Transportation Services, told 680News conditions are being monitored and plows are on standby, but won’t hit Toronto streets until there are five centimetres on the ground.

Two-hundred salter trucks, which Hector Moreno, manager of road operations for the city, called the “first line of defence,” began hitting the streets Sunday evening.

Moreno said he doesn’t anticipate major issues for Monday morning’s commute in the city.

Watch our Storm Centre for live updates on closures and cancellations.

Heavier snow began falling outside the downtown core causing slippery conditions on the roadways. OPP say at one point there were 40 collisions in one hour.

 

A snow squall watch is in effect for Caledon, Uxbridge, Newmarket and northern York and Durham regions on Monday.

“In the wake of the storm, bitterly cold west to northwest winds will result in the development of intense snow squalls southeast of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay,” Environment Canada said in a statement.

“These cold, brisk winds will also likely produce widespread dangerous windchills beginning Monday night as some of the coldest air in years blasts across the region.”

The agency warned drivers to expect near whiteout conditions in the affected areas and said poor visibility and slick surfaces will make getting around dangerous.

Click here for updates.

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