Winter storm warning issued for Toronto as city braces for snow, ice pellets

Toronto residents might want to stay home Wednesday afternoon as a winter storm rolls into the city.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for Toronto just after 4:45 a.m. The storm will hit the city late Wednesday afternoon and could bring up to 15 centimetres of precipitation, including a wintry mix of snow, ice and rain.

“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous,” the alert said.

“Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.”

By Wednesday evening, the city can expect the storm to bring snow and then ice pellets. Precipitation could turn to freezing rain overnight before tapering off on Thursday, the alert added.

Environment Canada has issued several severe weather warnings across Ontario, including a freezing rain warning in Hamilton and a snowfall warning in Ottawa.

In a tweet, the bus company for the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board said school buses will still take children to and from school on Wednesday.

In an email to the Star, a spokesperson for the city of Toronto said the warming centres at Metro Hall (55 John St.) is currently open. Warming centres at Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Dr.), Cecil Community Centre (58 Cecil St.) and Mitchell Field Community Centre (89 Church Ave.) will open at 7 p.m.

Environment Canada asks people to report severe weather by email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

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