Drive with extra caution: Motorists contend with slick roads across Ontario
It's been a tough couple of days on the roads across southern Ontario this week as a multi-day snowfall event brings more snow and icy conditions.
A multi-day snow event prompted widespread winter warnings across southern Ontario on Wednesday, remaining in effect for much of Thursday with a second wave of moisture bringing more snow and slick conditions throughout the day.
An additional 10-20 cm could hit the Hamilton and Niagara regions -- where school closures and bus cancellations racked up early Thursday -- with about 5-10 cm possible through the Greater Toronto Area by the time it winds down later Thursday night.
FORECAST: Second wave of snow could further complicate travel across Ontario
Though Wednesday started with some mixed precipitation across the GTA, the transition to snow through the late afternoon and evening hours made a quick mess of the roads throughout the region. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt was advising drivers to just stay home and wait out the storm until conditions improve, with several reports of vehicles in the ditch on major highways Thursday morning.
"It may not look like a big winter storm, but that little sheet of moisture or those little slippery sections can be all it takes to send you careening off the highways," Schmidt said in a live tweet Thursday morning. "So take it easy, slow down, and drive safe. This is not business as usual, conditions are not ideal."
Now that arctic air has swept over the region, any standing snow or slush will become icy as well. This all follows the historical winter storm that buried some areas in 50 cm just a few weeks ago.
Here's a closer look at what drivers are contending with during this prolonged and far-reaching storm:
Mark Robinson - Niagara Falls, Ont.