Winter Storm Warning Issued for Tuesday in Toronto


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.


Ethics cop to probe whether Jody was pressured by PMO

Federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion will investigate allegations that the Prime Minister’s Office pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to help Quebec engineering firm SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution. The NDP asked Dion to look into the matter after the Globe and Mail published a report last week that alleged the PMO wanted Wilson-Raybould to direct federal prosecutors to make a “deferred prosecution agreement” — a deal akin to a plea bargain — to avoid taking SNC-Lavalin to trial on bribery and fraud charges. Dion informed the NDP MPs who requested the investigation Monday that there is sufficient cause to proceed with an inquiry into the actions of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on this matter. CBC

4-vehicle crash snarls midday traffic at Avenue and Edmund

Witnesses say speed on the part of the driver of a pickup truck may be the cause of a four-vehicle crash at the corner of Avenue Rd. and Edmund Ave. late Monday morning. The crash saw the truck finally plough into the front door of the South Hill Cafe in the Benvenuto building. The corner has traffic lights and its notable that the taxi and the black Honda were both slammed from behind. It’s not clear how the gray car beside them was damaged.

Bulldog steals hearts with blazing speed at Westminster

Rudy the bulldog put on an incredible performance in the agility drill at the Westminster Dog Show on Saturday. A border collie named Verb won the agility contest at 32.05 seconds. Rudy finished at 46.63 seconds (officially 51.63 seconds after receiving a fault). Despite the loss, the internet was impressed by Rudy’s blazing speed. He’s a bulldog after all. They’re known to be dogged, not particularly fast.

Vigil held Sunday for victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur

Look who’s growing up and crossing flags at Maurice Cody

Upper left, Sunday’s annual skating party at Hodgson rink was certainly fun for Molly Matlow, daughter of Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow. We’re growing up. The skate is a combined neighborhood event of Mr. Matlow and MPs Carolyn Bennett and Rob Oliphant. At right, Cody kids (and parents) are urged to make crossing as safe as possible at intersections near the school. At the bottom, from left, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital reminds of the heroic work that can be done during the Capes for Kids drive in March. Then, it must be reported that a pizza favorite, Big House Pizza, at 952 Danforth, has closed. Finally, a reminder of Patrick Rocca’s family skate on February 18 and the East York Town Centre Family Day Contest.

City cold weather alert with daytime low Monday of -5

The City of Toronto has issued an Extreme Cold Weather Alert Monday that is in effect until further notice. Extreme Cold Weather Alerts are issued when the temperature in the daily forecast is estimated to reach approximately -15 degrees Celsius or colder, or when the wind chill is forecast to reach -20 or colder. Those most at risk of cold-related illness are people experiencing homelessness or those under-housed, those who work outdoors, people with a pre-existing heart condition or respiratory illness, elderly people, infants and young children. People with heart problems can experience worsening of their condition up to several days after cold weather occurs. Tuesday’s high is forecast to be zero.

 

Michael Wilson, 81, was Mulroney era Finance Minister

Former Finance Minister Michael Wilson has died at the age of 81. Wilson’s death was confirmed to CTV News on Sunday night by an employee of Barclays, where he was recently employed. Following a lengthy career, Wilson resigned from politics in 1993. CTV

Snow Monday night with possible 10 to 15 cm by Tuesday

See later post

Satirical parade of Italian town a definite cut above ordinary

The elaborate satirical parade held at the Viareggio festival this weekend is well worth a look. Viareggio is on the Italian Riviera a short drive from Florence. It would be extremely pleasant right about now.

Rerouting O’Connor sends Golden Mile plan into confusion

Years of plotting to redevelop the Eglinton Ave. Golden Mile in keeping with its enormous new value when the LRT is finished seem to have been thrown into confusion. The cause is a plan to reroute O’Connor Drive away from Eglinton Ave. and send it eastward to Birchmount Ave. The unseen problem is that Scarborough Community Council, which came up with the plan, overlooked the lurking presence of North York and Toronto and East York Community Councils to the west of Victoria Park Ave. O’Connor Dr. is 100 percent outside of Scarborough. Rerouting O’Connor would require property purchases inside North York and Toronto and East York. That seems to mean Golden Mile planning would have to move downtown to full City Council. Read on at Toronto.com.   Golden Mile Secondary Plan Study.

Tavares tricky backhand wins it 4-3 for Leafs in Montreal

Many said it felt like the Toronto-Montreal rivalry of old Saturday as the Leafs and Habs battled to secure second place in the Atlantic Division of the NHL. Leafs won in overtime 4-3. NHL highlights are on YouTube.