The worst is over for the GTA's first major snowfall of the season
As of 9:30 am. Tuesday, Environment Canada Meteorologist Geoff Coulson said about 10-12 cm of snow had come down in most of Toronto, 14 cm in the northern parts of the city. 12 cm were reported at Pearson Airport.
Coulson said the region may pick up another centimetres of flurries through the day, but now the focus is on the possibility of snow squalls around London.
"There is a chance that some of the activity may make it, especially to the western or northwestern parts of the GTA but it looks like the heaviest stuff is probably going to stay more down into northwestern Ontario," Coulson said.
Wind gusts have picked up to 40 km/h near Pearson raising the possibility of localized blowing snow in open areas.
Coulson warns the rest of the week will be very cold, especially Thursday when the daytime high will only rise to -9 degrees. The typical high for this time of year is 2 degrees.
The city of Toronto has issued an Extreme Cold Weather alert in anticipation of the temperature drop.
Despite the overnight pile-up of snow , school buses were running and schools were open Tuesday in the GTA.
However the snow made roads and highways more slippery and drivers were warned to expect a slower than normal commute on Tuesday morning. OPP Sgt Kerry Schmidt said 10 tractor trailers jackknifed overnight.
We are investigating about 3 jack knifed trucks right now. There have been over 10 jack knifes overnight.
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) December 12, 2017
Expect a slow #MorningCommute pic.twitter.com/HaTnNVMEMb
This is the truck that was rearended at Morningside. How many motorists are now affected by the actions of one driver? #MorningCommute #SlowDown pic.twitter.com/esaAaFtHI7
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) December 12, 2017
The City of Toronto began its pre-snowfall preparations Monday applying brine and salt to major routes. Plows were dispatched overnight. Highways are cleared once 2 cm of snow has fallen, main roads after 5 cm and local roads after 8 cm.
The snowfall affected air travel at Toronto airports Tuesday. By 8:30 a.m. 175 flights in and out of Pearson Airport had been cancelled. Billy Bishop is reporting a handful of cancellations and delays.