Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have confirmed that officers responded to more than 200 crashes across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) over the past 24 hours, following the region’s first major snowfall of the season that left roads icy and hazardous for drivers.
According to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, approximately 220 collisions occurred between Sunday morning and the early hours of Monday, as temperatures plummeted and roads across the region turned slick with snow and ice.
“Sometimes we hear about snow events that end up being minor, but this one brought significant accumulation,” Sgt. Schmidt told CP24. “Even though the snowfall ended toward the evening, the temperature dropped sharply, turning everything — the streets, sidewalks, and side roads — into hard, crusty ice.”
Snow and Ice Catch Drivers Off Guard
The storm caught many motorists by surprise, resulting in higher-than-usual crash volumes. Schmidt noted that the number of collisions reported on Sunday was well above average for a typical weekend.
“This is certainly a lot more than what we’d see on a normal Sunday into Monday morning,” Schmidt said. “And that doesn’t even include the morning rush hour.”
Environment Canada reported 10 centimetres of snow at Toronto Pearson International Airport and up to 17 centimetres in Hamilton, with similar accumulations across parts of Peel, Halton, and York Regions.
The agency issued a special weather statement for the GTA on Sunday, which has since expired. However, forecasters warn that slippery conditions may persist as temperatures remain near or below freezing.
Weather Outlook for the Week
Drivers are urged to remain cautious as more flurries are possible Monday, with a 30% chance of snow throughout the day. Temperatures will hover around 1°C, but with wind chill, it will feel closer to -12°C in the morning.
For Tuesday, Environment Canada forecasts a high of 3°C with a mix of flurries or light rain. The temperature will feel like -8°C in the morning before slightly warming later in the day.
Milder weather is expected midweek, as rain returns Wednesday and Thursday, bringing highs of 7°C and 6°C, respectively.
OPP Safety Reminder
Police are reminding motorists to slow down, increase following distance, and ensure winter tires are installed as the region transitions into full winter driving conditions.
“It doesn’t take much — one patch of ice, one moment of inattention — for a drive to turn dangerous,” Schmidt cautioned. “We’re urging everyone to give themselves extra time, clear their vehicles completely, and adjust to winter driving habits right away.”