Snow has begun to fall across the Greater Toronto Area, with residents being warned to limit travel and plan ahead during a brutal weekend of winter weather.
Environment Canada issued an orange winter storm warning that predicts between 20 and 40 centimetres of snow for muncipalities across the GTA.
Here’s a timeline of what to expect and when, based on information from Environment Canada and CBC Toronto meteorologist Colette Kennedy.
CBC Toronto will update this story as we learn more.
Lake-effect snow is falling in areas along Lake Ontario this morning.
Current models expect the actual winter storm to hit around 11 a.m. and continue throughout most of the day. It’ll be a high of -8 C, but feel closer to -21 C.
This storm could drop up to 40 centimetres of snow by the time it’s done, according to Environment Canada, with higher amounts possible in specific areas from lake enhancement.
Right now, it looks like the heaviest snow will hit from 2-7 p.m, or possibly a little later in the day.
Visibility will be near zero at times in blowing snow with winds gusting to 50 km/h, Environment Canada said in the orange warning.
GTA cities can expect the highest snow accumulation near their shorelines due to lake enhancement.
Environment Canada warns disruptions to transportation and utility services are likely to occur across the GTA.
Drivers are being warned to go slow and have emergency kits prepared with food, water, blankets and extra winter gear for drives of any distance this weekend, Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said on social media Friday.
“Having these supplies in your vehicle could make the difference between having a good day that you’ll get through or a really, really rough one,” he said.
Don’t be surprised if it’s still snowing hard in the evening, and watch out for snowplows on the roads.
“We’ll be doing our very best to keep the city moving,” Toronto city manager Paul Johnson said ahead of the storm.
That heavy snow will transition to light snow closer to midnight. It’ll be a low of -13 C with a wind chill of -22.
Light snow is expected to continue overnight. If we do get hit with a big dump of snow Sunday, the snow-clearing efforts will likely still be underway by Monday morning.
There is a chance lake-effect snow could still be falling by 7 a.m., Kennedy said, with some areas seeing snow squalls. However, she thinks it’s more likely the storm system will have cleared out.
There will be a wind chill of -22 in the morning that will warm slightly to -15 in the afternoon.
Brace yourself for a slow commute and consider lending a hand with the shovelling on your street.
“Neighbours helping neighbours, that’s the Toronto way,” Mayor Olivia Chow said.
