Expect a slow, snowy and slushy commute today, police warn

Toronto police are warning drivers Tuesday morning to be prepared for snowy driving conditions and a slower commute than usual.

Between five and 10 centimetres of snow fell overnight in various parts of the city, with the worst of it hitting areas near the lakeshore, according to Environment Canada. The federal weather agency has cancelled a winter travel advisory that had been in place since Sunday, but many roads are still unplowed and potentially icy.

"It's a bit of a slushy day out there," said Const. Clint Stibbe of Traffic Services, adding that he advises drivers to ensure their vehicle's windshield washer fluid is topped up before heading out this morning.

Commuters should also expect a longer than average drive time into work, he said.

"We're just asking everybody to slow down, and leave lots of extra space and lots of extra time to get to their destinations. Keeping in mind that the safety of, not just other drivers, but of pedestrians and cyclists are of the utmost importance."

Later on Tuesday, Toronto police are launching a new pedestrian safety campaign after a rash of deadly collisions since January 1. Seven people — five of them pedestrians — have been killed on city streets in the first 16 days of 2018.

Stibbe said everyone using roadways, especially given the conditions drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will deal with today, should be vigilant while on the move.

"Just pay that extra little bit of attention."

The city's winter operations crews were out overnight plowing and salting roads. According to posts on Twitter, snow clearing on residential streets began around 3 a.m. and will continue into the evening. Sidewalk plowing and salting should be done by mid-afternoon, while most of the separated bike lanes in the downtown core are already cleared.