A freezing rain warning in effect for much of Toronto and surrounding regions ended on Tuesday afternoon as warmer temperatures gave way to wet, slushy conditions in the city.
Environment Canada warned of ice accumulation of between five and 10 millimetres in the area on Tuesday, but all rain warnings were over by noon.
The freezing rain is part of a low-pressure system from Texas passing over the Great Lakes, bringing a band of freezing rain that changed to rain later in the morning.
Environment Canada issued a warning Toronto late Monday night, but the warning ended shortly before 5 a.m. Warnings for Barrie, Dufferin, Halton-Peel and Grey-Bruce were cancelled at 11 a.m. Warnings in York-Durham, Belleville, Kingston, Peterborough and South Frontenac ended around noon.
Though the city is no longer affected, drivers were advised to plan for longer than usual commutes. More than 300 crashes were reported in southern Ontario overnight, according to OPP, and 130 were reported in Toronto.
By Tuesday afternoon, the snow and freezing rain stopped as the winter storm pushed northeast, away from Toronto.
Monday night’s snow and ice melted during the day, creating slushy conditions in the city.
Departures and arrivals at Pearson Airport also felt the effects of the bad weather.
With a report from CTV’s Scott Lightfoot
Thousands of travellers were delayed by the conditions and had to wait hours before their flights could take off.
Even when the storm was over, many flights were still delayed by the fog that blanketed the city as temperatures rose.
The fog advisory has since been lifted and airport officials say flights to and from Pearson have returned to their normal schedule.
We've returned to a regular flight schedule following low visibility due to fog. #safetyfirst
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) December 29, 2015
The following areas are still under a freezing rain warning:
- Belleville-Quinte-Northumberland
- Brockville-Leeds and Grenville
- Kingston-Prince Edward
- Stirling-Tweed-South Frontenac
Here's what I'm talking about. pic.twitter.com/ZeutAvlvGY
— Colin D'Mello CTV (@ColinDMello) December 29, 2015