Toronto under yellow winter storm warning: system packed with freezing rain, ice pellets and snow

Toronto and the GTA are under a yellow winter storm warning as a messy weather system brings freezing rain, ice pellets and snow to the area.

Freezing rain warnings have also been posted for areas west of the city.

The messy system moved in around 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, initially bringing rain for Toronto. Some freezing rain was expected in the west end of the GTA, with heavier ice accretion in the Dundalk highlands, where it would last longer. The predominant precipitation type in Toronto will be ice pellets and snow.

“Icy and slippery conditions due to a mix of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain,” writes Environment Canada, adding that the evening commute will be affected.

An orange warning freezing rain includes cities like Kitchener, Guelph, Hamilton and Stoney Creek, where Environment Canada says between five and 10 millimetres of ice-build-up is possible, causing icy and slippery conditions.

Locally, up to 15 millimetres of rain is possible, which increases the risk of prolonged power outages. Further south, a yellow warning for freezing rain is in place for Niagara Falls and west along the Lake Erie lakeshore, where 2-5 millimetres of ice accretion is forecast.

Toronto will likely see mostly snow and ice pellets, but it will be heavier north and east of the city. Toronto is looking at five to 10 centimetres of snow and ice pellets combined. Parts of York and Durham regions could see up to 15 cm.

Easterly winds will be gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour, so power outages are possible for those with heavy ice buildup, and visibility will be poor for the areas getting snow.

The incoming story had triggered widespread school bus cancellations across Toronto and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) on Wednesday, with multiple boards suspending transportation as freezing rain, snow, and icy roads create hazardous conditions for the morning commute.

The storm is expected to taper off on Wednesday evening.

With files from Natasha Ramsahai and Meredith Bond