LIVE UPDATES: Toronto hit with spring snowstorm, up to 15 cm expected

March 22, 2024 Canuck

Toronto is being hit by a spring snowstorm that’s expected to drop as much as 15 centimetres of snow on some parts of the city by Friday night.

The snow has already started to fall and the city is under an active snowfall warning.

Here’s what happening right now:

12:30 P.M. Toronto delivers update on snow response

The city said crews started salting major arterial roads and collector routes at 11:30 a.m. to prevent freezing and frost before the afternoon commute. Local roads are set to be salted between 2 and 3 p.m.

Vincent Sferrazza, director of operations and maintenance of Toronto’s transportation services, said crews are hoping to get at least two rounds of salting done by the time heavier snow starts to fall after 3 p.m.

Sferrazza said the city has been tracking the weather event and crews proactively salted the roads on Wednesday, which he said gave the city a “good head start” in its snow-clearing operations.

When the snow does start to accumulate, the city will start plowing major roads and transit routes at 5 cm and residential streets at 8 cm.

“So we ask residents to please be patient and allow us to get those rounds of salting and plowing in and hopefully that would resolve any issues that may have arisen,” he said.

11:15 A.M. TTC deploying extra staff, buses

The TTC says extra staff members, buses and maintenance vehicles are being deployed as the snow starts to fall.

The additional buses will be brought online on a “route-by-route” basis and deployed to areas where heavy snowfall historically results in significant slowdowns, detour or disruptions.

At 3 p.m., the TTC said service at 56 bus stops will be suspended to “safeguard customers and maintain operational efficiency.” The list of impacted stops, which the transit agency said are prone to “weather-related disruptions,” can be found here.

With 15cm of snow forecasted, all stops listed: https://t.co/EkJVtPhHVs will be taken out of service at 3 p.m. until further notice. Please use the nearest alternative stops that remain in operation. We appreciate your understanding during these weather-related adjustments. pic.twitter.com/65Ci5Vdzzr

— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) March 22, 2024

11 A.M. Pearson says ‘give yourself some extra time’

The snow is falling at Toronto Pearson International Airport and officials are advising travellers to give themselves extra time to avoid missing their flight.

Customers are encouraged to check the airport’s departures portal for any changes to the status of their flight.

The snow is starting to fall at the airport. We’re joined by our airport duty manager, Michael Tomas, for an update on our operations. pic.twitter.com/fUWyvlExaa

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) March 22, 2024