GTA Could Be Hit By Blizzard-Like Conditions Over The Next 48 Hours
Monday February 12, 2007

Our luck was bound to run out sometime.

And if the forecasters are right, that 'sometime' will be Tuesday afternoon.

Toronto is preparing to be hit by the first major snow storm of the winter, after avoiding the worst of the weather that's been around us for weeks.

While we won't be buried like Barrie, clobbered like cottage country or nuked like northern New York, this one promises to bring its own brand of hassle to the GTA.

A system out of Oklahoma is heading this way and depending on how it tracks and where you are, you could get anywhere from five to 20 centimetres of snow before it leaves for whiter pastures Wednesday.

This storm has all the major components for chaos - it packs strong winds, chilly temperatures and tons of frosted flakes.

It's expected to start during or just after the afternoon rush Tuesday and make the morning commute the day after a miserable mess. Snow, blowing snow, and blizzard conditions - including whiteouts - are all possible during the height of this howler, which will be accompanied by strong wind chills.

Winter storm watches have now been issued for a number of areas, including Burlington, Oakville, Niagara and Hamilton, along with areas to the west. Most of the GTA is expected to be added as it comes ever closer.

Environment Canada calls the storm "dangerous" and warns about the potential problems that will accompany it for travellers.

If the city itself is lucky, we'll only get five centimetres or so. But those places with a winter bull's eye on their backs - including Oakville - could see up to 20.

Drivers hate the prospect of the white knuckle commute that's sure to come with even a little bit of snow. And no one's looking forward to this major dump.

Still the city's snow solons are eyeing the bright side, especially because the general betting is that we'll only be hit with a minimal amount compared to other parts of the province.

"Well, considering everywhere else got practically seven feet, I think we're lucky," surmises spokesman Myles Curry.

But he admits the plows are ready for whatever arrives. "We have a large fleet that's ready to tackle any storm that should hit," he promises.

The city expects to spend about $3 million to clean up the storm. It sounds like a lot but it's only a shovelful out of the $62.5 million annual budget.

All this comes as the city reels from another Arctic blast. Officials have declared a new Extreme Cold Weather Alert, designed to get the homeless off the streets before the weather turns deadly.

If you see anyone in need of assistance you can call the City of Toronto Street Helpline toll-free at 1-866-392-3777.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7762.aspx




Massive Storm Hits GTA, Bringing Snow & Winter's Worst
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Ready or not here it comes.

And you have to wonder if any of us can ever be ready for this.

The GTA is experiencing the first big winter storm of the year, with residents here hoping that predictions of the 10-15 centimetres forecasters are saying could land on us will turn out to be a lot less than that.

The disturbance, which is both long and loud, has left a path of snow, howling winds and bitterly cold temperatures all across the mid-western part of the U.S.

And now it's our turn.

The first traces of the snow started around the rush hour, but it's overnight when it's supposed to really pile up in earnest.

But no matter what happens, we may consider ourselves lucky.

Special weather statements from Environment Canada warn places like Oakville and Hamilton could wind up with 70 centimetres, thanks to a combination of lake effect squalls and the storm itself.

At least five centimetres had fallen there by the dinner hour and things were just - you should pardon the expression - warming up.

Just how big is this monster? Consider this: when it just started snowing in T.O., it was still coming down all the way into Chicago, where a blizzard warning remained in effect.

And this disturbance is packing just about everything - snow, ice, strong winds, bitterly cold temperatures, the possibility of whiteouts and the near certainty that everything you just shovelled off your driveway will blow back again in mere minutes.

Experts don't expect it to end until sometime late Wednesday. And that means the morning commute from hell just about everywhere by sunrise.

Police are warning motorists to get up early, both to clean their driveways and to allow for the extra travel time.

All of Toronto's snow clearing knights are out, ready to slay this winter dragon.

"We'll probably use about 10,000 tonnes of salt and we have 200 salters available and 600 road plows and 300 sidewalk plows, so we have a large fleet that's ready to tackle any storm that should hit," explains the city's Myles Curry.

They've been waiting for this big event and after a mild winter, they're up for the challenge. The question is are you?


http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7794.aspx

Last edited by E2EK1EL on Feb-14-2007 at 02:39