Rain, flash freezing to hit GTA as multi-day storm arrives today

A winter storm warning is now in effect for the Greater Toronto Area ahead of a messy weather system that could disrupt holiday travel plans.

The storm is expected to hit the city as light rain, snow or a mix of both on Thursday before a cold front arrives later Friday.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” reads the warning from Environment Canada. “Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.”

The weather agency says temperatures are expected to plummet on Friday morning leading to a potential flash freeze. The rapidly falling temperatures will be accompanied by damaging winds along with snow, heavy at times.

Several GTA school boards have cancelled classes ahead of the storm, and the City of Toronto announced that it would be opening three warming centres on Thursday night.

They are:

• Scarborough Civic Center, 150 Borough Drive – opens at  7 p.m.
• Metro Hall, 55 John Street – opens at  7 p.m.
• Mitchell Field Community Center, 89 Church Ave – opens at 8 p.m.

RELATED: GTA school closure and bus cancellations for Friday

“Wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h creating widespread blowing snow which will significantly reduce visibility,” the national weather service said with snowfall amounts of between five to 15 cm possible by Christmas Eve.

“Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations,” reads the warning in effect for Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Caledon and Hamilton.

Winter Storm Warnings issued for everyone in pink. Snow, icy surfaces, potentially damaging winds, and bitter wind chills are all on tap for Friday. @citynews680 @CityNewsTO pic.twitter.com/nFitvQNLD8

— Carl Lam (@CarlHLam) December 22, 2022

Blizzard warnings are in effect for the Niagara region and Northern Wellington County, Huron, Perth, Grey, Dufferin, and Bruce counties.

Environment Canada warning of wind gusts of up to 120 km/h in some areas and snowfall amounts of between 15 to 30 centimetres by Sunday morning in Niagara and upwards of 50 centimetres in cottage country.

“Very cold wind chill values are expected to develop Friday and persist into the weekend,” said the national weather service adding that a flash freeze was possible Friday morning.

“Travel will become dangerous and is not advised.”

Travellers advised to consider altering plans ahead of storm

The incoming storm is also expected to compound travel issues at Pearson airport.

Toronto Pearson has announced that the lead-up to Christmas is expected to be the busiest travel time of the year, starting this week.

Officials have advised travellers to check with their airline because airport operations could be affected by the storm.

Bad weather on either side of the country has already resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations.

A statement from Vancouver’s airport says it halted all international arrivals for about 48 hours to deal with “congestion” caused by 27 centimetres of snow Tuesday.

The restriction, affecting 17 airlines and approximately 30 flights, is to lift at 5 a.m. Friday.

A statement from Air Canada suggests nearly 600 of its flights haven’t been completed over the last five days.

About 935 Air Canada flights depart every day worldwide, it said, with a flight completion rate “well above” 98 per cent since the beginning of December.

But over the past five days, the rate dropped to 87.25 per cent, the statement said, citing storms in Ontario and B.C.

Air Canada said travellers should rebook online if their flight is scrubbed, while WestJet is offering full refunds to passengers choosing to cancel proactively.

A statement from WestJet showed 86 flights cancelled Wednesday, a number that was expected to rise throughout the day.

It said 240 flights were grounded Tuesday due to disruptions in Vancouver along with frigid temperatures in Calgary and Edmonton, while 250 flights were cancelled Sunday and Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press