Snowfall warning lifted after storm blankets Toronto, GTA
Posted January 14, 2026 11:49 am.
Last Updated January 15, 2026 9:01 pm.
A powerful winter storm hammered Toronto and the GTA late Wednesday and throughout the day on Thursday, sparking a slew of cancellations and closures along with transit issues and hundreds of traffic accidents.
Environment Canada had previously issued a yellow snowfall warning on Wednesday which was later upgraded to an orange snowfall warning. The orange warning has since been lifted.
Per the new coded weather system, orange, which is uncommon, indicates “severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days.”
The snow began to taper off in the late afternoon hours, but not before coating Toronto in heavy accumulations that will likely take considerable time to clear.
Toronto Pearson International Airport reported more than 20 centimetres of snow by around 4 p.m., Thursday, impacting some flights in and out of the travel hub.
The current largest one-day snowfall record at Pearson this season is 12 centimetres, set on Dec. 26.
Conditions are improving after more than 20cm of snow fell at Toronto Pearson.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) January 15, 2026
Our crews continue to make loops of the airfield to remove snow from runways, taxiways, and aprons so aircraft can safely arrive and depart.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status before… pic.twitter.com/YVF7lH4J7k
More snow is forecasted for Friday, with up to five additional centimetres expected in Toronto.
Heavy wind gusts are also expected, putting a strain on visibility.
The intense snowfall caused chaos on roadways, with Ontario Provincial Police officers responding to approximately 400 crashes on highways in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Officers also reported that around 125 vehicles ended up in ditches.
In Toronto, the storm led to the partial closure of the Don Valley Parkway, but it has since reopened.
There were also closures across the region, including the Highway 403 off-ramps to Highway 6 at the Hamilton-Burlington border.
In response to the storm, the City of Toronto announced that it was activating its new Major Snow Event Response Plan (MSERP) and declaring a Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event starting at 5 p.m. Thursday.
“Snowfall that began last night is expected to continue over the weekend, with 30-43 centimetres of snow today and tomorrow with additional snow forecasted over the weekend,” the City wrote in a release.
While the declarations are in effect, parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited, the City added.
“This helps City crews clear and remove snow piles that obstruct traffic flow, interfere with pedestrians and parking, and obstruct sightlines. Emergency service vehicles rely on clear roads to respond quickly to emergencies.”
The declaration also initiates a surge in staffing to assist with snow clearing, inspections and towing.
