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Winter weather travel advisory for Toronto ends but police reporting crashes, urge caution on roads

A winter weather travel advisory for Toronto ended on Thursday afternoon, but police are reporting crashes and urging drivers to be cautious on the roads.

The Environment Canada advisory, which had warned of heavy snow of short duration, ended at 4:30 p.m. 

Environment Canada had said in the advisory that afternoon snow in Toronto could have a significant impact on rush hour traffic.

The federal weather agency had called for total accumulations of five to 10 centimetres and peak snowfall rates of two to four centimetres per hour.

“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” Environment Canada said. “Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.”

Most of the snow had been expected to fall within a span of two hours.

Now, the forecast is calling for a 40 per cent chance of flurries Thursday evening and a few flurries beginning near midnight.

TTC takes 56 bus stops out of service

At 1 p.m., the TTC said it took 56 bus stops out of service until further notice in areas where snow and freezing rain are known to impact service. 

Riders can find the list of bus stops and the location of the closest bus stop here.

Earlier, the TTC said anti-icing trains will run along the subway network to keep the power rail and tracks free of snow and ice.

Vehicles move slowly through the intersection of Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East as afternoon snow falls on Toronto on Thursday.
Vehicles move slowly through the intersection of Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East as afternoon snow falls on Toronto on Thursday. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)

Crashes reported 

Toronto police reported a number of crashes on Thursday afternoon as the snow fell.

In the area of Birchmount Road and Danforth Avenue, police were called for a multi-vehicle collision shortly after 3 p.m. involving a school bus. Less than half an hour later, police said a snow plow hit a police vehicle in the same area. No one was injured in either crash.

“Use extreme caution when driving in the area. Consider alternate routes,” police said on X, formerly Twitter.

At Steeles Avenue East and Maxome Avenue at about 3:30 p.m., police reported numerous vehicles getting stuck and heavy delays. Motorists were warned that traffic is extremely slow in the area.

Meanwhile, in the west end, at East Liberty Street and Pirandello Street, a transport truck was reported to be stuck. Drivers were urged to use extreme caution in that area.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported 40 to 50 crashes on 400-series highways in the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday afternoon. There are no reports of serious injuries or road closures.

“Slow down, stay alert, headlights on, increase following distance, and get home safe,” the OPP said on X.

Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, spokesperson for the OPP’s Highway Safety Division, said the roads are slippery and drivers will need more time to stop.

“Please be careful out there. Drive safe. It’s going to take longer today than we’re used to,” he said.

A view of Taylor Massey Creek in Scarborough after snow fell on Thursday.
A view of Taylor-Massey Creek in Scarborough after snow fell on Thursday. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is reporting that a fraction of flights scheduled to leave or depart on Thursday have been cancelled. Several flights have also been delayed.

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