First taste of winter to hit GTA during evening commute
Posted November 8, 2017 7:50 am.
Last Updated November 9, 2017 5:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It is time to dig out the snowbrush and ice scraper, as the first snowfall of the season is expected to hit southern Ontario, including the GTA, on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory for the region. The weather agency has also issued a snow squall watch for Caledon, Newmarket, Georgina, and northern York Region.
Thursday will start out like a pretty average November day but as the day goes on, the temperature will drop.
The agency said snow and rapidly-falling temperatures could affect road conditions late-afternoon and evening, when the rain changes to flurries.
“Rain is going to switch over to snow and then the temperatures are set to drop very quickly, leaving us at risk of untreated road surfaces to becoming very slick – and this all takes place during the evening commute,” said CityNews meteorologist Adam Stiles.
“This is our first taste of winter this season in the GTA and will likely catch a few people off guard who have not prepared for the rapidly-changing weather conditions.”
680 NEWS meteorologist Jill Taylor said showers will start around 4 p.m. and then change over to flurries at 7 p.m. as the temperature hovers near the freezing mark. Flurries are expected to end before midnight, but the temperature will drop overnight bringing with it cold windchill values.
Thursday’s temperature is expected to hit a high of 9 C but will dip to a low of -7 C, feeling closer to -16 C with the wind.
Toronto police has the following tips for drivers, to help prepare them for the sudden change in weather:
- Make sure your windshield washer is full
- Get the latest information on current road and weather conditions
- Clear the snow off your car
- Check the tire tread and change your tires as necessary
- Expect the unexpected
- Reduce your speed
When winter weather hits, the city acts quickly to de-ice elevated roadways and intersections. Tammie Sutherland with why those stretches of road become slippery more quickly than others. Watch below.
And don’t expect any relief from the cold on Friday. The forecast calls for a high of -3 C but it will feel more like -13 C by nightfall.
A few spots in north GTA could get a few centimetres of snow, while 10 to 15 centimetres could fall in the snow belt areas.
Things will slowly warm up on the weekend. Saturday’s high will be near 1 C, and it will be 6 C on Sunday.
