Slow driving day ahead due to freezing rain
The snow and freezing rain in the GTA are making for a slow drive Wednesday morning.
There are reports of freezing rain in south Etobicoke in the Islington and Gardiner Expressway area.
There is a freezing rain warning to the west into Oakville, Burlington and Niagara.
Toronto isn't under a warning and we're not getting as much snow as expected with a lot of it coming later on today, likely after rush hour.
"The challenge with this storm looks like it's going to be tracking over a fairly lengthy time period, so accumulation will be sort of slow to amount on the roadways and sidewalks," Peter Noehammer with Toronto Transportation said.
The city crews have done three rounds of salting already and the plows are now out to clean up the slushy snowy roads.
Noehammer also told 680News that pedestrians may want to stay back from the roads to avoid getting soaked.
"On days like today when you've got that slushy soupy mess, especially around the corners of intersections, be wary of that and passing motorists, some of those puddles do extend (out of) the roadway, so be aware of your surroundings," he said. Noehammer is also asking drivers not to park on the road if possible -- especially on the sidestreets -- so that the plows can get around easier.
On the highways, it's also a tricky situation.
OPP Seargent Dave Woodford told 680News he wants drivers to slow down.
He says wet-looking roads can be deceiving.
"Slow down, because it could change depending on where you are going," Woodford said."(The roads) could have what we call the black ice effect because the mild temperatures and the cold air from the ground coming up and then you automatically get that freezing effect on the roads."
If you do start to slide, Sgt. Woodford has some advice.
"What you have to do is take your foot off the accelerator; you don't want to keep accelerating because you're just going to spin your tires if you find yourself sliding. And do not put your foot on the brakes. Sort of steer where you want to go and look to where you want to go," he explained.
Just under 100 flights have been delayed or cancelled due to snow and freezing rain coming into and leaving the airport Wednesday morning. Many involve parts of the U.S., Canada, eastern Ontario and Quebec.
There have been no school bus cancellations or problems with GO transit so far.
Meanwhile, the CAA has called in extra resources and has said the wait for a tow truck is as long as an hour in the GTA.
