Latest Ontario winter storm hits Toronto, GTA as spring approaches

Toronto and the GTA were hit with another round of snow just ahead of the weekend — the fourth significant snowstorm to hit the region in the past three weeks.

Each one of these storms also happened on a weekday and impacted the evening commute.

Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory in Toronto for Friday, with snow accumulations ranging from five to 10 centimetres by the time the system passes. Snow started falling mid-morning and tapered off by late evening.

“Widespread snow will push across southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe today. The evening commute will be affected by this snowfall,” Canada’s weather agency said.

“Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly. Be prepared to adjust your driving to changing road conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.”

The winter weather travel advisory is expected to lift soon.

Ontario Provincial Police responded to collisions reported throughout regions hit by the storm, including a five-vehicle crash involving a jackknifed truck on Highway 401 west near Milton, west of Toronto.

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Winter weather travel advisories spanned the GTA, including Halton-Peel and York-Durham, and beyond to other areas of southern Ontario. Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton were expected to see 15-20 centimetres of snow, with higher accumulations in surrounding areas.

Due to the snow, the City of Toronto said the warming centre at Metro Hall, which is currently open, and three other centres at Scarborough Civic Centre, Cecil Community Centre, and Willowdale Baptist Church, will open at 7 p.m. Friday.

Toronto and the GTA just dug out of the last round of snow, where strong winds, thunder and lightning were also reported.

“Pretty much every Friday, we’ve had some form of precipitation since the start of this year, so I guess we’re just used to it,” CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor said.

The City of Toronto said the major snowstorm condition declared on March 4 remains in effect. Parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited in the meantime.

First day of spring on the way despite wintry conditions

There is some hope as the first official day of spring rapidly approaches on March 20. Before that, Ontario will “spring forward” as clocks will go ahead one hour on Sunday.

It has some Torontonians eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring temperatures, with others admitting they’re content with a storm every now and then.

“I kind of love storms. I am OK with it. It’s fun,” one man said in Toronto on Friday. “I feel like it’s the last hurrah. It will be springtime soon enough.”

The City of Toronto has launched a city-wide public education campaign that promotes road safety at the start of daylight saving time.

A spokesperson says it intends to remind Torontonians, especially people driving and cycling, to be aware of each other as they share the city’s roads.

With files from CityNews reporter Michelle Mackey