Flurries, ice pellets and freezing rain hit the GTA Sunday evening in the region’s first blast of wintry weather this season.
Brought on by a low-pressure system from the American Midwest, the inclement weather started shortly after 5 p.m.
Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning for much of Southern Ontario Sunday morning, warning of slippery conditions throughout the region.
By the evening, Mother Nature delivered on that promise, sending sheets of icy rain that prompted Ontario Provincial Police to shut down southbound lanes of Highway 400 because of multiple collisions.
“People need to be extremely cautious, it’s like a sheet of ice out here on the road,” Sgt. Dave Woodford told CP24.
Environment Canada sounded a similar note in their warning to motorists and pedestrians earlier in the day.
“A coating of a centimetre or two of snow is likely from Southern Lake Huron eastwards into the GTA by early this evening before it transitions into freezing rain this evening followed by rain," the warning read. "Motorists are urged to exercise caution during this first widespread wintery mix of precipitation. Untreated roads and sidewalks may become slippery from an accumulation of snow and freezing rain."
The freezing rain is expected to change to rain overnight as the temperature rises to 8 C by Monday morning, Environment Canada said.
@Josh_F is on Twitter. Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.
