Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are bracing for a significant winter storm set to arrive on Sunday, causing potential travel disruptions.
The weather authority, Environment Canada, has issued an orange winter storm warning, predicting heavy snowfall ranging between 20 to 40 cm.
680 NewsRadio meteorologist Rob Haswell warns, “Snowfall could reach up to 40 cm, especially in areas where lake-enhanced snowfall occurs.”
Areas near the lakeshore, such as downtown Toronto, are expected to receive the highest snow accumulations due to lake-effect snow, creating challenging conditions.
With wind speeds reaching up to 50 km/h, blowing snow may lead to sudden whiteout conditions and reduced visibility, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is closely monitoring the storm’s impact on flight operations, with a significant percentage of flights already canceled.
The snowfall is anticipated to intensify in the afternoon and evening, lingering into Monday morning.
Additional storm warnings are in place for various cities including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and others.
City officials in Toronto acknowledge the challenges posed by the extreme cold and fast snow accumulation, noting that salting may be less effective at very low temperatures.
As the storm coincides with the return to work and school on Monday, officials are preparing for potentially chaotic commutes.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is already planning for possible school closures on Monday, with adjustments to exam schedules if needed.
The Toronto District School Board will assess the situation closely and provide updates to parents and students early Monday morning.
In anticipation of the storm, the Toronto Zoo has preemptively decided to close on Monday for snow clearing operations.