IN PHOTOS: Icy storm snarls traffic in southern Ontario, knocks out power
Thursday’s winter storm brought a little bit of everything to southern Ontario, with ice, snow, rain, and even a few claps of thunder as the system moved through. Thousands of people lost power at the height of the storm, and slick roads led to multiple wrecks throughout the day Thursday.
Snowfall and freezing rain warnings were issued across the region, as well as winter weather travel advisories, which prompted multiple school bus cancellations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The icy conditions also had an impact on highways - causing a massive 17 car pile-up on the Garden City Skyway in the Niagara Region early Thursday morning.
At the height of the storm, about 15,000 customers were withouth power, Hydro One reported.
"Crews are responding to outages caused by high winds affecting parts of the province as quickly and as safely as possible," the utility said in a statement on their website.
The storm was part of the same Colorado low that brought blizzard conditions and deadly tornadoes across parts of the U.S. earlier this week. Temperatures played a key role in precipitation types across southern Ontario Thursday, with some areas - including the city of Toronto, seeing more rain and freezing rain than snow as daytime highs hovered just above zero.
See below for Tweets on the storm’s impact across southern Ontario:
Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/93S5ggF0o6
Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/93S5ggF0o6 / Twitter" Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/93S5ggF0o6 / Twitter" Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/93S5ggF0o6 / Twitter"
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Ice building up on the trees near Ingersoll/Woodstock. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/93S5ggF0o6 / Twitter"
Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4
Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter" James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter" James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter" James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter" James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter" James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter"
— James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 (@JamesSLees) James Lees 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Rather unpleasant day of freezing rain. Bird feeders are very busy, especially with Dark-eyed Juncos. #birding #ontario #FreezingRain #ONStorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/mdUGxbfkL4 / Twitter"
We're responding to outages across southern ON after high winds and freezing rain hit the province this morning. Our crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. #ONStorm Updates: https://t.co/iY0wSFCiG5 pic.twitter.com/RbK4K2AzBy
We're responding to outages across southern ON after high winds and freezing rain hit the province this morning. Our crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. Hydro One on Twitter: "We're responding to outages across southern ON after high winds and freezing rain hit the province this morning. Our crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. #ONStorm Updates: https://t.co/iY0wSFCiG5 pic.twitter.com/RbK4K2AzBy / Twitter"
Updates: Hydro One on Twitter: "We're responding to outages across southern ON after high winds and freezing rain hit the province this morning. Our crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. #ONStorm Updates: https://t.co/iY0wSFCiG5 pic.twitter.com/RbK4K2AzBy / Twitter" Hydro One on Twitter: "We're responding to outages across southern ON after high winds and freezing rain hit the province this morning. Our crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and support. #ONStorm Updates: https://t.co/iY0wSFCiG5 pic.twitter.com/RbK4K2AzBy / Twitter"
Garden City Skyway is at a standstill this morning. Toronto bound lanes all closed. Absolute mess out there.. avoid QEW around skyway this morning. Will need alternate route.. #ONstorm #Niagara pic.twitter.com/cZWh4qe1s8
Garden City Skyway is at a standstill this morning. Toronto bound lanes all closed. Absolute mess out there.. avoid QEW around skyway this morning. Will need alternate route.. Rob's Obs on Twitter: "Garden City Skyway is at a standstill this morning. Toronto bound lanes all closed. Absolute mess out there.. avoid QEW around skyway this morning. Will need alternate route.. #ONstorm #Niagara pic.twitter.com/cZWh4qe1s8 / Twitter" Rob's Obs on Twitter: "Garden City Skyway is at a standstill this morning. Toronto bound lanes all closed. Absolute mess out there.. avoid QEW around skyway this morning. Will need alternate route.. #ONstorm #Niagara pic.twitter.com/cZWh4qe1s8 / Twitter" Rob's Obs on Twitter: "Garden City Skyway is at a standstill this morning. Toronto bound lanes all closed. Absolute mess out there.. avoid QEW around skyway this morning. Will need alternate route.. #ONstorm #Niagara pic.twitter.com/cZWh4qe1s8 / Twitter"
Winds feel like 90 at this point & im fighting the wind over here on Sherbourne & Queens Quay #ONStorm lots of things being tossed around omg pic.twitter.com/aGgQJVxbL2
Winds feel like 90 at this point & im fighting the wind over here on Sherbourne & Queens Quay Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "Winds feel like 90 at this point & im fighting the wind over here on Sherbourne & Queens Quay #ONStorm lots of things being tossed around omg pic.twitter.com/aGgQJVxbL2 / Twitter" lots of things being tossed around omg Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "Winds feel like 90 at this point & im fighting the wind over here on Sherbourne & Queens Quay #ONStorm lots of things being tossed around omg pic.twitter.com/aGgQJVxbL2 / Twitter"
— Mariana Hernandez (@Mariana_ArtsTO) Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "Winds feel like 90 at this point & im fighting the wind over here on Sherbourne & Queens Quay #ONStorm lots of things being tossed around omg pic.twitter.com/aGgQJVxbL2 / Twitter"
After a round of snow it's now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. #ONStorm @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/JtQR0GHckP
After a round of snow it’s now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. James⚡️Gray on Twitter: "After a round of snow it's now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. #ONStorm @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/JtQR0GHckP / Twitter" James⚡️Gray on Twitter: "After a round of snow it's now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. #ONStorm @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/JtQR0GHckP / Twitter" James⚡️Gray on Twitter: "After a round of snow it's now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. #ONStorm @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/JtQR0GHckP / Twitter"
— James⚡️Gray (@j_gray00) James⚡️Gray on Twitter: "After a round of snow it's now pouring FZ rain in Grimsby. Cars have a thin layer of ice. #ONStorm @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/JtQR0GHckP / Twitter"
If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR
If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter" from your vehicles windows. OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter" reminding everyone to OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter", OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter", and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter" OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter" ^es OPP West Region on Twitter: "If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it? Make sure YOU clear the #ice from your vehicles windows. #OPP reminding everyone to #DriveSafe, #Slowdown, and drive according to the road and weather conditions! Have a great day. @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/8r7UB7H3tR / Twitter"
gotta love freezing rain #onwx #onstorm pic.twitter.com/uu4ysdRYYe
gotta love freezing rain adam on Twitter: "gotta love freezing rain #onwx #onstorm pic.twitter.com/uu4ysdRYYe / Twitter" adam on Twitter: "gotta love freezing rain #onwx #onstorm pic.twitter.com/uu4ysdRYYe / Twitter" adam on Twitter: "gotta love freezing rain #onwx #onstorm pic.twitter.com/uu4ysdRYYe / Twitter"
— adam (@wx_larry) adam on Twitter: "gotta love freezing rain #onwx #onstorm pic.twitter.com/uu4ysdRYYe / Twitter"
This is a full blast wind storm.#ONstorm pic.twitter.com/96p6luFKuK
This is a full blast wind storm.Mike Gibbs🏳️🌈🇺🇦 on Twitter: "This is a full blast wind storm.#ONstorm pic.twitter.com/96p6luFKuK / Twitter" Mike Gibbs🏳️🌈🇺🇦 on Twitter: "This is a full blast wind storm.#ONstorm pic.twitter.com/96p6luFKuK / Twitter"
— Mike Gibbs🏳️🌈🇺🇦 (@Mikeggibbs) Mike Gibbs🏳️🌈🇺🇦 on Twitter: "This is a full blast wind storm.#ONstorm pic.twitter.com/96p6luFKuK / Twitter"
Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️#onstorm #OnWx pic.twitter.com/jkSPe04Vv9
Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️Ajuk Snir on Twitter: "Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️#onstorm #OnWx pic.twitter.com/jkSPe04Vv9 / Twitter" Ajuk Snir on Twitter: "Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️#onstorm #OnWx pic.twitter.com/jkSPe04Vv9 / Twitter" Ajuk Snir on Twitter: "Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️#onstorm #OnWx pic.twitter.com/jkSPe04Vv9 / Twitter"
— Ajuk Snir (@SnowyOwl0308) Ajuk Snir on Twitter: "Heavy freezing rain in Kitchener. 6-7 hours of freezing rain already. Streets are ice skating rinks. Highly advise not to travel. Very treacherous/inclement 🌧️⚠️#onstorm #OnWx pic.twitter.com/jkSPe04Vv9 / Twitter"
Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO
Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter" is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter" on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter" OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter" OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter" ^es OPP West Region on Twitter: "Single vehicle crash takes out hydro pole and power to local residences. #Hwy3 is closed between Ireland Rd and Culver Rd. Minor injuries were reported. Power outage in area. @HydroOne on scene. Please do NOT go around road closure signs. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/ItsrTIb5dO / Twitter"
A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf
A Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner on Twitter: "A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf / Twitter" vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner on Twitter: "A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf / Twitter" Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner on Twitter: "A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf / Twitter" Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner on Twitter: "A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf / Twitter"
— Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner (@vidman) Vidman 📺 Dan Lauckner on Twitter: "A #wrLRT vehicle appears to struggle hard to inch its way up King St from Waterloo toward downtown Kitchener. #onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/b8lbJwn6hf / Twitter"
We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l
We’re into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter" Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter" Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter" Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter" Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter" Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter"
— Charlene.W (@Charzonit) Charlene.W on Twitter: "We're into the ice and snow now! Current conditions in Stouffville. @citynews680 @weathernetwork #ONStorm #thursdaymorning #snow pic.twitter.com/gYfUbw1Y5l / Twitter"
Thumbnail photo by Mark Robinson/The Weather Network - Oshawa, Ont.
