The GTA is seeing a rash of collisions as the first major snowstorm of the season bears down on the city.

Hundreds of collisions have been reported on major highways and local roads as snow continues to fall in the region.

North of Barrie, two people were killed in a two-vehicle collision where road conditions were reported to be poor, OPP said.

“I’ve never seen this many collisions,” OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford told CP24 in a phone interview.

As a result of the collisions OPP are advising people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

“If you don’t have to go out, stay in until we can get the roads cleared,” Woodford told CP24.

Woodford said the OPP have fielded over 525 calls for service around the GTA today and have received more than 2,100 calls into their communications centre.

If motorists are involved in a collision, they are advised to stay in their vehicles and call for help.  

OPP have also set up mobile collision reporting centres around major highways to make it easier for motorists to get their vehicles off the road after a collision.

Woodford also reiterated that drivers need to use caution and slow down if they are out on the roads.

“It’s the same messaging all the time: just slow down. That’s the essential part of it,” Woodford said.

By 4 p.m., the CAA said it had received more than 3,000 calls for service, CAA spokesperson Silvana Aceto told CP24.

“We do ask our members to please be patient,” Aceto said. “We are servicing our high priority calls first, those are our drivers who are out stranded in the cold as opposed to anyone who may have a dead battery at home or whatnot.”

Earlier Saturday morning, several accidents on the Queen Elizabeth Way near Mississauga also resulted in the closure of the Fort-Erie bound lanes. The accidents were reported to involve about 30 different vehicles. The highway reopened around 2:30 p.m.

“Slow down and keep that distance. The roads may not look that bad, but they do become icy very quickly,” Woodford told CP24 earlier Saturday. “Far too many people drive like they normally would if the roads were completely dry and in good shape and they are the ones that usually end up in the ditch.”

Toronto, Peel Region under snowfall warning

The poor road conditions come as Toronto and Peel Region remain under a snowfall warning.

The storm is expected to dump between 15 and 20 cm of snow on the GTA between Saturday and Sunday morning with the most intense snowfall likely occurring this evening.

A winter storm watch is also in effect for Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton where cold easterly winds and extra moisture from the relatively mild lake water could result in even more snow, according to Environment Canada.

“The snowfall amounts could range from 15-20 cm here in Toronto and other areas towards Eastern Ontario may receive upwards of 30 cm,” CP24 Weather Specialist Jamie Gutfreund said Saturday morning. “Wind speeds are also going to be gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour and because of those winds we could see blowing or drifting snow and that could reduce visibility on the roads.”

City salt trucks were already out in full force Saturday morning and plows are being deployed along major roads.

“We are certainly ready,” Director of Transportation Services Peter Noehammer told CP24 Saturday morning. “We have been monitoring the storm as it approaches us and we are out there with our salters now in the west end and the central area and as the storm progresses we will continue with salting, probably for the bulk of this afternoon.”

Travellers told to check flight status before leaving

Due to the weather, both Porter Airlines and Air Canada are advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

As of 9:45 p.m., 42 flights that were scheduled to depart from Pearson International Airport had been cancelled with another 32 flights departing from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport also cancelled.

Tips for drivers

Both OPP and the CAA are advising people to stay off the roads unless they have to be out. Howveer for those who need to be on the nroads, the CAA is advising the following:

  • Slow down. Roads may be slippery even if they don’t appear to be.
  • Remove all snow and ice from vehicles so that it easier to see out and to be seen by other motorists
  • Leave extra space between vehicles to allow room to react and brake in time
  • Be alert, look past vehicles in front of you
  • Stay focused on driving and don’t get distracted
  • Keep a fully charged cell phone and a full tank of gas

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