Icy storm pelts Ontario, causing travel disruptions and multiple power outages
The icy storm that blew through southern Ontario on Wednesday afternoon has caused major disruptions across the province. The wintry mix of snow, freezing rain and ice pellets made roads slick, causing multiple wrecks, and more than 100 flight cancellations at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
The system started early Wednesday afternoon and dropped periods of heavy snow followed by freezing rain and ice pellets. The icy mix continued overnight Wednesday, with about 10-20 cm of snow and ice reported across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Early Thursday morning, school buses were cancelled across numerous school boards, including Ottawa, the GTA, and the Hamilton region. The TTC made service changes, Go Transit adjusted their train schedule and Toronto Pearson International Airport cancelled or delayed several flights.
Ice accretion caused damage to power lines and downed trees, causing power outages. Hydro One has reported that over 33,000 customers were estimated to have lost power due to the storm.
The storm will continue to affect parts of Ontario on Thursday. Eastern Ontario continues to see periods of snow, particularly in the city of Ottawa. Southern Ontario is under a widespread freezing drizzle advisory and could continue to see light icing and freezing rain throughout the day.
See below for Tweets on the storm’s impact across Ontario:
Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430
Avenue Rd is now a problem in Tom Stef on Twitter: "Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430 / Twitter" with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck Tom Stef on Twitter: "Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430 / Twitter" buses so that's good!Tom Stef on Twitter: "Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430 / Twitter" Tom Stef on Twitter: "Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430 / Twitter"
— Tom Stef (@vaughanweather) Tom Stef on Twitter: "Avenue Rd is now a problem in #Toronto with vehicles unable to climb the hill, some sliding backwards. But no stuck #TTC buses so that's good!#Onstorm pic.twitter.com/e2m4ZwU430 / Twitter"
I'm no expert but I don't think this is good #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/WCUdluoOFW
I’m no expert but I don’t think this is good Wrong Way Jay on Twitter: "I'm no expert but I don't think this is good #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/WCUdluoOFW / Twitter" Wrong Way Jay on Twitter: "I'm no expert but I don't think this is good #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/WCUdluoOFW / Twitter"
— Wrong Way Jay (@wrongwayjay83) Wrong Way Jay on Twitter: "I'm no expert but I don't think this is good #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/WCUdluoOFW / Twitter"
Winter fun #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Hlw80SAwiF
Winter fun Schmeltyy on Twitter: "Winter fun #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Hlw80SAwiF / Twitter" Schmeltyy on Twitter: "Winter fun #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Hlw80SAwiF / Twitter"
— Schmeltyy (@chrisssryan) Schmeltyy on Twitter: "Winter fun #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/Hlw80SAwiF / Twitter"
No power since midnight. Outside its an ice rink & oh yeah, this tree caught on fire. We lost power shortly after this.#Onstorm #icestorm pic.twitter.com/gJcGDbLN7l
No power since midnight. Outside its an ice rink & oh yeah, this tree caught on fire. We lost power shortly after this.. on Twitter: "No power since midnight. Outside its an ice rink & oh yeah, this tree caught on fire. We lost power shortly after this.#Onstorm #icestorm pic.twitter.com/gJcGDbLN7l / Twitter" . on Twitter: "No power since midnight. Outside its an ice rink & oh yeah, this tree caught on fire. We lost power shortly after this.#Onstorm #icestorm pic.twitter.com/gJcGDbLN7l / Twitter" . on Twitter: "No power since midnight. Outside its an ice rink & oh yeah, this tree caught on fire. We lost power shortly after this.#Onstorm #icestorm pic.twitter.com/gJcGDbLN7l / Twitter"
Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he
Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter" David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter" David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter" David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter" David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter" David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter"
— David Piano (@ONwxchaser) David Piano on Twitter: "Crazy scenes in Norfolk County this morning. #Onstorm #onwx #icestorm @ECCCWeatherON @StormhunterTWN pic.twitter.com/5gt5Fjq3he / Twitter"
Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk
Caught Someone on our Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" cam “snowboarding” down our street after yesterday’s snowstorm 🤷♂️Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter"Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter" Rick on Twitter: "Caught Someone on our @ring cam "snowboarding" down our street after yesterday's snowstorm 🤷♂️#Ring #Onstorm#TheweatherNetwork #snowboarding #Snow #Winter #OntarioStorm #ontario pic.twitter.com/ClLpXPp7Hk / Twitter"
It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF
It's a slick & frosty one here in Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter" this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter" Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter" Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter" Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter" Jim Diodati on Twitter: "It's a slick & frosty one here in @NiagaraFalls this morning! A reminder to please give yourselves extra time to get where you need to go today and to take care on the roads. Stay safe, everyone! #ONStorm #icestorm @weathernetwork @NiagaraParks pic.twitter.com/gLdZTEohqF / Twitter"
Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! #onstorm #icestorm23 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/ktqKFKFaBH
Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! Mike Pasztor 🌽🌱🌾🐂🐷🥒🌶 on Twitter: "Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! #onstorm #icestorm23 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/ktqKFKFaBH / Twitter" Mike Pasztor 🌽🌱🌾🐂🐷🥒🌶 on Twitter: "Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! #onstorm #icestorm23 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/ktqKFKFaBH / Twitter" 🥶🥶🥶 Mike Pasztor 🌽🌱🌾🐂🐷🥒🌶 on Twitter: "Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! #onstorm #icestorm23 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/ktqKFKFaBH / Twitter"
— Mike Pasztor 🌽🌱🌾🐂🐷🥒🌶 (@Pasztor79) Mike Pasztor 🌽🌱🌾🐂🐷🥒🌶 on Twitter: "Woke up to no hydro but feeling pretty good about the lack of damage at home, till I made the trek 5 mins south to the lakeshore and pure destruction! #onstorm #icestorm23 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/ktqKFKFaBH / Twitter"
Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. #OnStorm #DriveSafe. pic.twitter.com/rqFGu7dAOf
Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. OPP Highway Safety Division on Twitter: "Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. #OnStorm #DriveSafe. pic.twitter.com/rqFGu7dAOf / Twitter" OPP Highway Safety Division on Twitter: "Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. #OnStorm #DriveSafe. pic.twitter.com/rqFGu7dAOf / Twitter". OPP Highway Safety Division on Twitter: "Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. #OnStorm #DriveSafe. pic.twitter.com/rqFGu7dAOf / Twitter"
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) OPP Highway Safety Division on Twitter: "Another car in the snow bank, about 200 collisions in the past 24 hours. #OnStorm #DriveSafe. pic.twitter.com/rqFGu7dAOf / Twitter"
What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE
What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter" Ann on Twitter: "What do you do in an ice storm &hydro is out? Find the Tourist Info Centre with a generator &plug your coffee machine in ☕️ #lifehack #icestorm @StormhunterTWN @weatherchannel @MurphTWN @LondonMorning @KMacTWN @weathernetwork @CTVLondon @martaczur @LakeErieNorth @CBCOntarioToday pic.twitter.com/OrCIdHCouE / Twitter"
When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH
When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. Jill Davis on Twitter: "When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH / Twitter" Jill Davis on Twitter: "When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH / Twitter" Jill Davis on Twitter: "When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH / Twitter" Jill Davis on Twitter: "When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH / Twitter"
— Jill Davis (@Jdavis_Halton) Jill Davis on Twitter: "When you wish it had snowed instead. Trying to free the garage door. #FreezingRain #Onstorm #NorfolkCounty pic.twitter.com/63oye03rsH / Twitter"
A couple gorgeous pictures I took last night while enjoying a freezing rain walk #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/S4M0dZQ330
A couple gorgeous pictures I took last night while enjoying a freezing rain walk Drew Myers on Twitter: "A couple gorgeous pictures I took last night while enjoying a freezing rain walk #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/S4M0dZQ330 / Twitter" Drew Myers on Twitter: "A couple gorgeous pictures I took last night while enjoying a freezing rain walk #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/S4M0dZQ330 / Twitter"
— Drew Myers (@DMyers_16) Drew Myers on Twitter: "A couple gorgeous pictures I took last night while enjoying a freezing rain walk #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/S4M0dZQ330 / Twitter"
Thumbnail courtesy of Mark Robinson.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast for Ontario.