Toronto, ON (WNews) – Historic winter storm paralyzed Southern Ontario including Greater Toronto with 40 – 60 cm of snow on Monday causing delays. The snow started falling in the late evening on Sunday, which forecasters were expecting 60 cm of snow.
Thousands of drivers out along Toronto-area highways were stuck in snow Monday morning as a historic winter storm blasted southern Ontario.
Meanwhile, Toronto police temporarily shut down the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.
“This is to help move any existing vehicles that are stuck and allow snow plows to clear the routes,” Toronto police said in a tweet issued shortly after 10 a.m ET.
Just before the closure was announced, the northbound Don Valley Parkway was at a standstill due to a crash near Don Mills earlier in the morning. Motorists there reported being stuck in traffic for well over an hour.
Around 12:30 p.m., the Gardiner was reopened, followed by the southbound DVP lanes around an hour later.
Just before 2:50 p.m., police said both the Gardiner and DVP were fully reopened.
Environment Canada put Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara under a “blizzard” warning. That warning has since been lifted.
Snow accumulation of up to 60 cm was expected, Environment Canada said.
Wind gusts of up to 60 km/h were expected to cause blowing snow, resulting in widespread near-zero visibility, the weather agency continued.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said the city is facing a “serious” weather event.
“Toronto Police & other first responders are doing their best to keep our city safe. You can help by staying off the roads unless absolutely necessary & only using 911 in an emergency, an imminent threat to life/property,” Ramer said.
Dozens of streetcars and buses across the city were also out of service due to the significant snowfall. Buses were seen stuck including one video of a group of people trying to push a bus up a hill.
The storm caused plenty of disruptions on roadways and prompted many school closures on what was supposed to be the first day of a return to in-person learning for all Ontario students.
Premier Ford helps stuck driver with rides
Premier Doug Ford was driving around Etobicoke Monday helping drivers who got stuck and giving people rides after a massive snowstorm hit much of southern Ontario.
A video posted on TikTok by user @eddykandic95 showed the premier giving a person a lift.
“This is Doug Ford!” the person recording said from inside Ford’s vehicle.
“I’m a taxi driver today, a snowplow, everything else,” Ford said in response.
Some users pointed out that the two were not wearing masks in the car.
Earlier Monday, Ford urged caution for those who were heading out on the roads.
“Today’s winter storm in parts of Ontario is creating treacherous driving conditions in many areas,” Doug Ford vis Twitter.
“Stay safe and God bless each and every one of you.”
