News and Updates
Published January 6, 2024 8:10 PM
Last Updated January 6, 2024 9:10 PM
The national weather service cautioned about the potential for a concentrated area of heavier snow near Lake Ontario. This region of intensified snowfall is anticipated to weaken as the evening progresses, but intermittent light snow is anticipated through the night.
Environment Canada warns that the accumulating snow might result in slippery road conditions, prompting the City of Toronto to prepare equipment and crews for deployment as needed.
To prevent the bonding of frost and ice to the pavement, liquid salt brine has been administered on expressways, bridges, steep hills, and priority intersections. Salting efforts are ongoing, with plows slated for deployment once snow accumulates to 2.5 cm on expressways.
Similar advisories are in place for Mississauga and Brampton. The flurry of snow is anticipated to dwindle by Sunday afternoon.
Thus far in the season, Toronto has witnessed a total of 13 cm of snow, with 4 cm recorded on December 7. By comparison, at this time last year, Toronto had received nearly 30 cm of snow.
Looking forward, CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor predicts a larger storm expected to arrive on Tuesday, bringing significant snowfall, rain, and strong winds.
Toronto's inaugural snowstorm of 2024 is impacting ski hills like Horseshoe Resort due to a snow drought. Snowfall is expected to make a return to the Greater Toronto Area on Saturday night, prompting a special weather statement from Environment Canada regarding accumulating snowfall.
The forecast suggests approximately five centimetres of snow could descend upon the city, commencing Saturday evening and gradually tapering off by Sunday morning. Environment Canada cautions about the potential for a heavier snow band near Lake Ontario, although the specifics regarding its location and intensity remain uncertain.
The weather agency hints at the possibility of higher snowfall amounts in the GTA if the snow band intensifies. The City of Toronto, in response, is closely monitoring the forecast and stands prepared to dispatch crews and equipment as necessary.
In preparation for the anticipated snowfall, expressways and critical areas such as bridges, steep hills, and priority intersections have been treated with liquid salt brine. Salting operations will commence once the snow begins to adhere to the pavement.
This impending snowfall preludes an anticipated mixture of snow and rain expected to impact Toronto later in the week.
