Flash Freeze and Blowing Snow Cause Chaos on GTA Roads
A dangerous combination of flash freezing conditions and blowing snow created treacherous driving situations across the Greater Toronto Area on Friday evening, resulting in multiple collisions that kept emergency services busy throughout the region. Police departments across the GTA reported responding to numerous accidents as temperatures plummeted rapidly following earlier precipitation.
Life-Threatening Pedestrian Incident in North York
Among the most serious incidents was a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in North York who suffered life-threatening injuries. Emergency crews transported the individual to a trauma center where they remain in critical condition. Police have not released additional details about this specific collision but confirmed it occurred during the period of deteriorating weather conditions.
Freezing Drizzle Advisory in Effect
Environment Canada had issued a freezing drizzle advisory for Toronto and parts of the GTA earlier in the day, warning that surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots could become icy and slippery. The advisory noted that untreated surfaces would be particularly hazardous as temperatures dropped below freezing.
The rapid temperature decline, combined with blowing snow that reduced visibility in some areas, created what police described as "extremely dangerous driving conditions." Officers reported responding to collisions of varying severity across multiple jurisdictions within the Greater Toronto Area.
Police Response and Safety Recommendations
Law enforcement agencies across the region increased patrols and urged drivers to exercise extreme caution. Police emphasized several safety measures for winter driving conditions:
- Reduce speed significantly below posted limits
- Increase following distance between vehicles
- Avoid sudden braking or acceleration
- Ensure vehicle lights are on for visibility
- Clear all snow and ice from windows and mirrors before driving
"When we experience these rapid temperature drops combined with precipitation, roads can become like ice rinks within minutes," explained one police spokesperson. "Drivers need to adjust their behavior accordingly and understand that even vehicles with winter tires have limited traction on glare ice."
Broader Weather Context
The flash freeze event occurred as part of a broader winter weather pattern affecting much of southern Ontario. Other regions of the province were also experiencing significant snowfall, with some areas expecting up to 25 centimeters of accumulation. The sudden temperature drop followed a period of milder conditions earlier in the week, catching some residents unprepared for the rapid change.
Meteorologists noted that these types of flash freeze events are particularly dangerous because they can occur with little warning, transforming wet roads into sheets of ice almost instantly. When combined with blowing snow that reduces visibility, the conditions create what traffic safety experts describe as a "perfect storm" for collisions.
Police continue to investigate the specific circumstances of each collision and remind residents that winter driving requires additional preparation, patience, and caution, especially during rapid weather transitions.
