A treacherous glaze of ice is predicted to descend upon southern Ontario tomorrow, threatening to turn roads into skating rinks and disrupt daily life. The forecast calls for freezing rain, beginning around midday, and impacting the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions.
The day will begin with lingering fog, but a more significant challenge looms. Periods of snow and ice pellets will give way to freezing rain, transitioning to a mix of rain and snow later in the afternoon. Gusts of wind, reaching 20 kilometers per hour from the east, will exacerbate the chilling conditions.
North of the GTA, the precipitation will lean more heavily towards snow, with accumulations potentially reaching 5 to 10 centimeters. This combination of freezing rain and snow creates a particularly dangerous scenario for commuters and anyone venturing outdoors.
Officials are urging extreme caution, warning of likely travel disruptions and rapidly changing road conditions. Expect delays, and be prepared for surfaces to become slick and hazardous. The potential for accidents is high.
The impact on students is already being felt, as several school boards have proactively cancelled transportation services. The York Region District School Board has cancelled all bus routes, though schools will remain open.
York Catholic District School Board has followed suit, cancelling all school bus and taxi transportation, while Peel District School Board has cancelled transportation for Zone 3. Despite these cancellations, schools within these boards will continue to operate.
The Toronto District School Board is closely monitoring the situation, anticipating potential bus delays but has not yet cancelled services. Toronto Catholic District School Board buses are currently running, but afternoon travel may be affected by the developing ice storm.
Further cancellations include all buses in STOPR Zone 3 for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, and specific routes serving St. Andrew, St. Peter, St. Benedict, and Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School. Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board have also cancelled transportation across multiple zones.
Durham District School Board has taken the most comprehensive action, cancelling school bus services in all zones – Brock, Uxbridge, Scugog, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa. Residents across southern Ontario should prepare for a challenging commute and exercise extreme caution throughout the day.
