A sudden blast of winter paralyzed a major artery through Southern Ontario on Friday, forcing the complete closure of the eastbound Highway 401 near Guelph Line west of Milton.
The chaos began with a collision involving two tractor-trailers, scattering debris across all lanes and bringing traffic to a standstill. Emergency crews worked diligently, but the highway remained impassable well into the afternoon.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Reports flooded in of numerous other collisions across the Greater Toronto Area as treacherous road conditions rapidly deteriorated. Authorities urged drivers to avoid travel altogether.
A complex weather system descended upon the region, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Brief, intense snowfall rates of 2 to 4 centimeters per hour blanketed Toronto starting around 10 a.m., with accumulations expected to reach approximately 10 centimeters.
Visibility plummeted with the heavy snowfall, creating dangerous driving conditions. Even though the total snowfall wasn’t predicted to be massive, the rapid accumulation posed a significant threat to roadways and highways.
Pearson International Airport braced for 7 to 10 centimeters of snow, but early indications suggested the higher end of that range was more accurate, causing concern for travelers eager to begin their March Break plans.
Adding to the challenge, winds began to pick up throughout the day, with gusts anticipated to intensify into the night. The combination of snow and wind created a potent and hazardous situation.
Areas north and east of Toronto, including Vaughan, Markham, and Durham Region, were forecast to receive the heaviest snowfall, potentially reaching 10 to 15 centimeters through Saturday morning.
West of the city, communities like Mississauga, Brampton, and Milton initially expected 5 to 8 centimeters, but snowfall totals quickly climbed to 10 centimeters as the storm intensified.
Hamilton and the Niagara Region faced a different threat: strong southwesterly winds gusting up to 60 km/h, shifting to westerly and strengthening to 70 to 90 km/h in the evening.
While the snow was expected to diminish and transition to rain showers in the afternoon as temperatures rose above freezing, the reprieve was temporary. A high of 3C felt much colder with a windchill of -8C in the morning.
Environment Canada warned of hazardous travel conditions and the potential for icy roads and sidewalks as temperatures dropped overnight, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness. The weather proved to be volatile and unpredictable, demanding vigilance from all.
