Toronto under winter weather travel advisory, snow could affect Friday morning commute

A winter weather travel advisory is in effect for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), warning of heavy snow that could affect Friday morning’s commute.

Environment Canada issued the advisory on Thursday afternoon ahead of the lake effect snow, saying it will develop overnight.

“This band, combined with an incoming low-pressure system, is expected to produce locally enhanced snowfall amounts. The Friday morning commute will be affected,” the advisory said, adding drivers should expect poor visibility at times due to the snow.

“Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.”

Toronto could see heavy snowfall accumulations of five to 10 centimetres.

The snow is expected to taper to light flurries late Friday morning or early Friday afternoon.

BITTER COLD TEMPERATURES ALSO IN FORECAST

In addition to the snow, the GTA is in for a stretch of bitter cold, prompting Toronto to open four of its warming centres.

The temperature is expected to hover around the freezing mark for most of the day on Thursday, but Environment Canada is warning of an overnight low of -5 C that will feel closer to -10 with the wind chill.

On Friday, the temperature is expected to only reach a daytime high of -2 C with the wind chill near -9.

The weekend will bring mostly sunny skies but much colder conditions. Environment Canada is forecasting a high of -8 C on Saturday with an overnight low of -16 C.

On Sunday, the temperature will range between -5 C and -11 C.

“Those flurries (on Friday) are sort of the floodgates of a system in which cold, cold air will come in for the weekend,” CP24 meteorologist Bill Coulter warned. “It is the kind of air we haven’t experienced in quite a while with a wind chill in the minus 20s on Saturday night.”

Environment Canada says there will be a risk of hypothermia and frostbite for anyone who finds themselves outside this weekend for an extended period without “adequate protection.”

The city-run warming centres provide a place for the vulnerable to escape the elements and open whenever the temperature drops below -5 C.

There is another surge site that only opens when temperatures drop below –15 C.

The locations opening as of 5 p.m. are as follows:

• 
  136 Spadina Rd.
• 
  81 Elizabeth St.
• 
  12 Holmes Ave.
• 
  885 Scarborough Golf Club Rd.