Toronto weather: Snowfall warning ends as storm hits GTA hard

Environment Canada ended a snowfall warning for Toronto and much of the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday evening.

Snow began tapering off in the late afternoonwith temperaturesaround-4 C, but it was another slow commute for residents trying to get home in the city's first major snow storm of the season.

• Toronto ready for 'whatever happens' this winter
• CBC Toronto Weather
• CBC Toronto Traffic

Milder temperatures are on their way this weekend, along with some melting off, but commuters should be aware of some possible drifting snow for Fridaymorning's commute and chilly morning temperatures, says CBC meteorologist Colette Kennedy.

"We are looking at another 36 hours before everything is all done," said Transportation Services Manager Hector Moreno of cleanupefforts.

River of snow

"Things are winding down and tapering off," said Kennedy. "Hopefully there will be better roads for us in the morning."

A vertical band of snowmoving north-south spent all day passing over Toronto, and the GTA was right in the middle of that flow, Kennedy said.

Friday temperatures are expected to be above freezing with some sun, and milder temperatures with some cloud cover are expected over the weekend. The high temperature on Saturday is expected to reach 3 C and on Sunday 5 C.

The snow began falling in the early morning hours on Thursday and fell for more than 18 hours.

Toronto was expected to get more than 15 centimetresof snow by Thursday night, bypassing the original estimate of 10 centimetres.

Pearson Airport and Porter Airlines warned passengers to be prepared for flight delays and cancellations.

Crash after crash

The city said it was prepared, salting the roads before the powerful blast of precipitation hit, but commutes were still slippery, both in the morning and evening.

"Once you start getting accumulations of 2-3 centimetres in an hour, that makes it even more challenging," saidMoreno.

By Thursday afternoon Toronto Police had responded to 204 collisions and said there was an accident happening every three-and-a-half minutes. The most delayed route was the north-bound DVP, according to police.

GO transitsuspended the HamiltonQEWExpress Bus service Thursday night. Passengers travelling between Hamilton and Toronto are advised use theLakeshoreWest train service.