It was one collision after another on Saturday as the GTA and parts of southern Ontario were hit with a mixed bag of precipitation.
Snow began to fall across the GTA around noon on Saturday and made an immediate impact on transportation.
CityNews meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai says areas of the GTA could expect one to four centimetres of wet snow beginning near lunchtime, followed by about three to six millimetres of ice and then 15 to 25 millimetres of rain by the end of the day.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said they had received 400 calls for service, 200 of which were for collisions since the storm started to produce snowfall.
All of those calls were weather-related, with motorists either driving too fast for conditions, not paying attention, or following too closely.
The OPP asked people to avoid driving if possible, but if they have to drive, adjust for conditions.
Through most of the afternoon and into the evening GO Transit experienced delays on their bus routes.
#GObus delays of 20-40 mins continue on many routes due traffic & weather conditions. More info at: http://t.co/LDlSJIW9je
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) January 4, 2015
However, their trains were ready for the day.
“We are in storm watch so we prepare ahead of time,” said Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne Marie Aikins. “We don’t wait until weather happens. We prepare ahead of time with extra crews.”
Tracks were monitored and crews were out salting.
A freezing rain warning was issued for Toronto and parts of the GTA including Markham, Burlington, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga and Vaughan, ended roughly before 7 p.m. Some areas in the northern GTA as well as parts of southern Ontario remain under the warning.
A special weather statement had been issued earlier in the day for most of southern Ontario, with significant snowfall, rain and freezing rain moving across the area Saturday. Toronto and the regions of Halton, Peel, York and Durham were included in the statement.
All of the GTA has a freezing rain warning up now. Not expecting much ice accretion. Only a few mm
— Adam Stiles (@AdamStilesCITY) January 3, 2015
“Travel will likely be difficult at times this weekend, considering the changes in the weather during the storm,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, the city prepared in advance for whatever Mother Nature threw its way, which moved from snow to a mix of ice and rain.
Snow has stopped here in downtown Toronto, now changing to ice rain please take your time and drive with caution ^gfg
— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) January 3, 2015
“As soon as the snow starts to come down, salters will be deployed. The city has approximately 200 salters available,” said city road operations manager Hector Moreno.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority also called in extra staff, and Air Canada is waiving fees to re-book flights on Saturday to and from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.
Rain & snow are forecast this weekend. If you’re flying, please check your flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) January 3, 2015
Travel Alert – Jan 3: Toronto (YYZ), Montreal and Ottawa. Details, Flt Status & rebook online. Change fees waived: http://t.co/lghTajYdmy
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) January 3, 2015
On Sunday, temperatures are forecast to be well above freezing, reaching double digits in some areas.
But a cold front will sweep across southern Ontario through the day, bringing a return to cold temperatures, strong winds and flurries.
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