Issued at 15:18 Monday 11 February 2019
Winter storm with a combination of 15 to 25 cm snow and ice pellets, possible freezing rain, and strong winds expected Tuesday and Tuesday night.
Snow and blowing snow will begin early Tuesday morning. Strong easterly winds of 40 gusting to 70 km/h will cause reduced visibility in blowing snow. Stronger wind gusts up to 80 km/h are possible near the shores of Lake Ontario.
Visibilities should improve during the afternoon as the precipitation changes to a mix of snow and ice pellets in the afternoon. Easterly winds should remain rather gusty.
Total snowfall and ice pellet amounts of 15 to 25 cm are possible before ending Wednesday. There is also a risk of freezing rain.
This weather is associated with a Colorado low that will cross Southern Ontario Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.
Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
CITY OF TORONTO’S STORM PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for a winter storm tomorrow with the possibility of 15 to 20 cm of snow, as well as ice pellets, freezing rain and strong winds. The City of Toronto has a comprehensive snow and ice response plan that prioritizes the safety and movement of residents. Toronto is a vibrant city with more than 5,600 kilometre of roads and 2.9 million people.
Proactive measures taken before the storm include:
• monitoring road temperature using sensors on salt trucks and pickup trucks
• co-ordinating more frequent access to weather forecasting and meteorologists
• activating nine road weather information system stations, including two new stations in East York and one in the York-Yonge-Bay ramp, and
• preparing for winter by maintaining roads, performing on-going pothole repair blitzes, replenishing salt and de-icer supplies, attending training and seeking new ways to address snow.
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