‘Most challenging and tricky storm’: Toronto expecting major snowstorm on Friday

It’s the calm before the storm, literally.

Blizzardlike conditions are expected to hit Toronto by Friday, threatening to throw winter travel plans and planned gatherings with family and friends into disarray.

The storm will begin with rain Thursday with a high of 4 C expected. Temperatures will plummet Friday and rain will turn over to freezing rain very quickly with a high of 1 C. Expect snow by Friday afternoon, with 5 to 10 centimetres expected in the city before it’s all over.

Earlier this week, Environment Canada put out a statement asking Ontarians to reconsider their travel plans.

“Consider altering plans through the holiday weekend as travel conditions may become dangerous,” Environment Canada’s statement warned. “Extensive utility outages are possible.”

Vincent Sferrazza, director of operations and maintenance with the City of Toronto, gave an early morning press conference on Thursday.

“This is going to one of the most challenging and tricky storms that we’ve ever had to deal with,” Sferrazza said.

Equipment is being deployed to strategic locations around Toronto to minimize the time it takes to get to their locations.

Salting will begin once the snow begins to stick.

“Because it’s going to be freezing rain and ice pellets we will be activating all the equipment on all of the infrastructure,” Sferrazza said. That includes local roads, sidewalks, bus stops and expressways.

They receive all the services and treatments within a few hours, Sferrazza said. Ice and wind will be particularly challenging.

In a Wednesday press release, the city said they are monitoring the weather and are prepared to open warming centres in the event of an extreme cold weather alert or worsening weather conditions.

Forestry crews are prepared to respond in the event of high winds causing branches or trees to fall.

Pearson airport cautioned that weather could impact travel and warned travellers to check their flight status before leaving.

“Winter weather forecasted for tomorrow may impact operations at Toronto Pearson. Please check your flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport,” the airport tweeted.

Earlier this week, Vancouver was hit by a heavy snow, essentially paralyzing the city and shutting down the airport.

The airport halted all incoming international arrivals until Friday morning so congestion on the tarmac could be cleared.

Hundreds of Air Canada and WestJet flights have been grounded since Sunday and other affected airports include those in Victoria and Calgary.

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