Over 110 flights cancelled at Pearson as freezing rain coats Toronto area with ice

A freezing rain warning remains in effect for the Toronto area aswintry weather has led to the cancellation ofmore than 110 flights at Pearson airport.

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The freezing rainleft streets under a layer of ice this morningand prompted the closure of many schools. It also causedtraffic accidents, transit and flight delays, and some power outages outside of Toronto.

To see a full list of delays and cancellations, click here.

Toronto's Pearson International Airport urged travellersto check flight information with airlines before heading to the airport.

ShabeenHanifa, spokeswoman for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said more than 110flights scheduled to leave from Pearson were cancelled as of 6p.m.

"It's pretty good right now. Safety is the number 1 priority for us and it's definitely winter operations," she said.

Hanifa said winter operations means the airport is focused on removing snow from the airfield and clearing ice off aircraft.

Environment Canada meteorologistGeoffCoulsonsaid driving conditions in Toronto could continue to be tricky this evening.

"The best advice is to take it easy out there. The secondary roads could be problematic. There could be some slippery sections in and around the GTA during the evening commute," he said.

'Icy, slippery and hazardous'

Coulson said freezing rain in March is not that unusual.

"This is something we can see from time to time," Coulsonsaid. "We can get these early spring storms that can be quite potent."

He said the warmer weather earlier in March made this weather event stand out, but it's not a surprise, given the calendar. He said snow tires would have come in handy this morning.

The freezing rain delayed manyGO buses, while ice on overhead power lines delayed someTTC streetcars this morning.

Salting is complete on arterial roads and expressways, the city said in a tweet. It is continuing on collector and local roads.

Schools in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Boardand the Peel School Board wereclosed Thursday.

York University cancelled classes at its Keele and Glendon campuses, while the University of Toronto's Mississauga campus and Humber, Sheridan and Centennial Colleges were also closed.

Environment Canada has warned that surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots could be "icy, slippery and hazardous."

It said periods of freezing rain are expected to continue until earlyThursdayevening before changing to rain as temperatures rise.

Moreaccumulation of icein Toronto is possible, it said.

Earlier this morning, thefreezing rain caused major power outages outside the city.

As of 6p.m.,Hydro One crews wereresponding to 208incidents affecting 20,025customers.

While the freezing rain is expected to liftin the GTA later tonight,the warning is expected to remain in place this evening for much of southern Ontario.