Snowstorm takes over the GTA and southern Ontario
Posted February 15, 2021 11:37 pm.
Last Updated February 16, 2021 8:19 am.
A snowstorm left roads a mess and prompted school closures and school bus cancellations across the GTA on Tuesday.
The CityNews Storm Centre is open for the latest weather updates, including school closures and school bus cancellations.
The storm also spoiled the return to in-person learning for students in Peel and York Regions.
The Peel District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, York District School Board and York Catholic District School Board cancelled school buses and closed schools. However, virtual learning will continue.
The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School board cancelled school buses but the schools will be open.
Environment Canada’s snowfall warning was initially issued on Sunday, with the weather agency warning of 15 to 25 centimetres of snow to fall well into Tuesday.
The snowfall warning has since ended for Toronto and Peel but remains in effect in York and Durham.
The City of Toronto has issued an extreme cold weather alert, activating services that help vulnerable populations in times of freezing temperatures. Warming Centres will remain open across the city.
Environment Canada said blowing snow will also produce risky driving conditions.
“Strong winds gusting up to 50 km/h are expected to produce local blowing snow from this evening into Tuesday afternoon in some places,” the federal weather agency said.
Snow began to fall across the GTA Monday night and quickly became a troublesome issue for drivers. The OPP said it received reports of multiple collisions in Southern Ontario overnight Monday and Tuesday morning.
“Please slow down, turn on your full lighting system and drive according to the weather and driving conditions,” OPP tweeted.
Icy conditions caused several vehicles to spin out across GTA highways.
WB 40 EX west of The Allen vehicle has spun out in the right lane. Just one of many all over the city pic.twitter.com/Bf1Oim8fWC
— 680 NewsRadio Toronto Traffic & Weather (@NewsRadioTO) February 16, 2021
The City of Toronto said winter operations commenced on expressways and major roads around 9 p.m. Monday.
