Toronto laced by snowy, windy, icy winter storm

There were nearly 100 confirmed vehicle collisions in the Greater Toronto Area asdrivers struggled with a mix of snow and ice thatcovered roads during the first winter storm of the season on Monday night, police say.

City crews are out salting streets, bike lanes and trails, while plows are expected to clear Toronto's major roads later tonight. But so far, despite police warnings to avoid driving, motorists have still been in a number of crashes.

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Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the city, warning an intense low pressure system is set to bring 5 to 10 centimetres of snow to the city before midnight, at which time the precipitation is expected to change to ice pellets.

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The worst of the storm wasexpected tohit around 7 p.m., with the snow turning to ice pellets later in the evening.

"When the snow starts it could be fairly intense," said Environment Canada meteorologist Steve Knott. "I think that's going to be the greatest risk to motorists."

In addition to the snow, Environment Canada is expecting winds gusting up to 60 km/h at times, which could reduce visibility.

By Tuesday morning, however, any precipitation is expected to be rain as the temperature reaches 6 C.

Multiple crashes reported

Toronto policeConst. Clint Stibbe, of the traffic services division, tweeted around 10 p.m. that there had been at least 19 collisions causing injuries and some 66 causing property damage since 3 p.m.

Stibbe warned that number could have been a lot higher had Monday night not been a holiday for many.

The OPP also reported around 30 minor collisions on GTA highways, many involving single vehicles losing control. The CBC's Charlsie Agro, who posted video of the poor driving conditions on the Queen Elizabeth Way near Burlington, came across a jack-knifed tractor trailer a short time later.

Toronto police said the snowy conditions left some drivers struggling to climb hills on the Don Valley Parkway, while others wound up skidding into poles or walls.

Police also said in two incidents one at Keele Street and Greenbrook Drive and the other at Dufferin Street and Gibson Street buses and carscollided.

Police didn't release any information on injuries in these crashes.

Ahead of the storm, police warned motorists to avoid driving if possible.

"If you don't have to drive, don't," Toronto police Const. Scott Mills told CBC News.

TTC also affected

Toronto Hydro has called in extra staff to deal with any issues that come up overnight. Hydro officials say they're hoping there won't be enough time for ice to accumulate on trees and hydro lines during this storm, something that has caused major issues in the past.

Toronto's Pearson International Airport warned some flight delays are possible and urged travellers to check the status of their flight before heading out.