A relentless winter storm descended upon Toronto, triggering the city’s major snow event response for the second time this season. Forecasts predicted a staggering accumulation of up to 50 centimetres of snow, blanketing the region in a thick, icy grip.
The storm arrived on the heels of a sweeping polar vortex, barely a week after the last major snowfall caused widespread disruption. This time, the threat was even more significant, prompting an orange warning from Environment Canada – a signal of severe weather capable of causing substantial damage and hazardous travel conditions.
With the activation of the emergency plan, a city-wide parking ban went into effect on snow routes. Vehicles left in violation faced hefty fines and potential impoundment, a critical measure to ensure clear pathways for life-saving emergency services and essential public transit.
The snowfall intensified around 10 a.m., quickly escalating to peak rates of five to eight centimetres per hour. Blinding wind gusts, reaching up to 50 km/h, dramatically reduced visibility, turning familiar streets into treacherous landscapes.
The impact was immediate and widespread. The Toronto Zoo and all Toronto library branches closed their doors, joining a growing list of cancelled programs and shuttered facilities across the Greater Toronto Area. Mississauga and Hamilton followed suit, closing libraries, city offices, and recreational spaces.
Travel ground to a near halt. Toronto Pearson International Airport experienced massive disruptions, with 60% of its flights cancelled and another 10% delayed. Passengers were urged to verify their flight status before venturing to the airport, as snow crews battled to maintain operations.
The TTC struggled to maintain service, with 48 transit stops temporarily forced out of operation due to dangerous ice and snow accumulation. Despite the challenges, the city worked tirelessly to keep vital transportation routes open.
For those seeking refuge from the biting cold, warming centres opened across Toronto, offering a safe haven from the elements. Locations included sites on Elizabeth Street, Scarborough Golf Club Road, Spadina Road, George Street, and Holmes Avenue, alongside surge warming sites activated by plummeting temperatures.
The highways became scenes of chaos. Provincial police reported responding to approximately 100 collisions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area within a 24-hour period. While thankfully no serious injuries were reported initially, authorities strongly advised against non-essential travel.
A series of harrowing incidents unfolded on the region’s major arteries. A jack-knifed tractor-trailer blocked three lanes of the eastbound 403 after colliding with a snow plow, while another tractor-trailer jack-knifed on the 407 to 404 transfer ramp in Markham. Further west, three lanes of the westbound 401 near Weston Road were blocked by yet another overturned transport truck.
The Gardiner Expressway wasn’t spared, with multiple vehicles spinning out and one even flipping onto its side near Jameson Avenue. Police urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, while the Don Valley Parkway was reduced to a single lane south of Don Mills Road as plows worked to clear the accumulating snow.
Toronto’s fleet of snow plows mobilized, prioritizing highways and major roads to ensure access for emergency vehicles. Crews then focused on transit routes, key corridors, and finally, residential streets. The city provided online tracking, allowing residents to monitor the plows’ progress.
Even the plows themselves weren’t immune to the storm’s fury. In a startling incident, a snow plow struck a gas line in the Queen West area, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents and businesses as Enbridge crews rushed to assess and repair the damage.
As the snow continued to fall, the city’s unwavering commitment to public safety remained paramount. The relentless efforts of snow crews, emergency responders, and city officials worked to mitigate the storm’s impact and navigate the region through this challenging winter event.
