Multiple crashes reported after snowfall leaves messy conditions on Toronto roadways

Police are reporting multiple crashes and urging drivers to be cautious after a burst of snowfall on Thursday left messy conditions on Toronto's roadways.

Toronto's Pearson International Airport is reporting that a fraction of flights scheduled to leave or depart on Thursday have been cancelled. Several flights have also been delayed.

An earlier winter weather travel advisory for the city warned the snow could impact rush hour traffic. Environment Canada called for total accumulations of five to 10 centimetres and peak snowfall rates of two to four centimetres per hour. The advisory ended at 4:30 p.m.

The forecast is now calling for a 40 per cent chance of flurries Thursday evening and a few flurries beginning near midnight.

TTC takes 56 bus stops out of service

At 1 p.m., the TTC said it took 56 bus stops out of service until further notice in areas where snow and freezing rain are known to impact service.

Riders can find the list of bus stops and the location of the closest bus stop here.

Earlier, the TTC said anti-icing trains will run along the subway network to keep the power rail and tracks free of snow and ice.

Vehicles move slowly through the intersection of Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East as afternoon snow falls on Toronto on Thursday. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)

Several crashes reported 

Toronto police reported a number of crashes on Thursday afternoon as the snow fell.

In the area of Birchmount Road and Danforth Avenue, police were called for a multi-vehicle collision shortly after 3 p.m. involving a school bus. Less than half an hour later, police said a snow plow hit a police vehicle in the same area. No one was injured in either crash.

"Use extreme caution when driving in the area. Consider alternate routes," police said on X, formerly Twitter.

At Steeles Avenue East and Maxome Avenue at about 3:30 p.m., police reported numerous vehicles getting stuck and heavy delays. Motorists were warned that traffic is extremely slow in the area.

A view of Taylor-Massey Creek in Scarborough after snow fell on Thursday. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)

Meanwhile, in the west end, at East Liberty Street and Pirandello Street, a transport truck was reported to be stuck. Drivers were urged to use extreme caution in that area.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported about 60 crashes on 400-series highways in the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday afternoon. There are no reports of serious injuries or road closures.

"Slow down, stay alert, headlights on, increase following distance, and get home safe," the OPP said on X.

Sloppy, slippery conditions, say police

Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, spokesperson for the OPP's Highway Safety Division, said the roads are slippery and drivers will need more time to stop. He urged drivers to be careful and mindful that it will take longer to get to their destinations.

"It caught a lot of drivers by surprise. It was wet, it was sloppy, it was slippery, and drivers seems to be crashing into other vehicles, or not being able to stop in time, hitting concrete walls, or going straight into the ditch," he said in an interview later.

"We had problems with transport trucks not able to climb even the slight grades and causing a complete blockage of some roads and highways across the region."

Schmidt said driving conditions could be slippery and challenging on Thursday evening as it gets darker and with the temperature hovering around the freezing mark.