Toronto is contending with the aftermath of an extraordinary winter storm that dumped unprecedented amounts of snow across the city and surrounding Greater Toronto Area (GTA), leaving streets buried, transit snarled and residents digging out after what meteorologists say is the most snow the region has experienced in nearly a century. Environment Canada confirmed that the storm pushed January 2026 to become not only the snowiest January on record but the snowiest month since official records began in 1937, with total accumulations at Pearson International Airport reaching about 88.2 centimetres this month alone.
Sunday’s storm brought relentless heavy snow combined with strong winds, reducing visibility to near-whiteout conditions across large parts of southern Ontario. Downtown Toronto experienced snowfall totals of around 60–61 centimetres, while Pearson Airport on the city’s northwest edge saw a single-day record of about 46 centimetres, eclipsing previous daily records by a wide margin. Other parts of the GTA reported similarly massive accumulations, with Scarborough and Etobicoke also seeing between 50 and 65 centimetres of snow.
The result has been widespread disruption. Major roads, highways and residential streets remain clogged with snow, and travel throughout the region was severely hampered on Monday as residents attempted to resume their routines. Transit services faced significant delays and interruptions, and schools across the GTA were closed as cleanup efforts continued. City officials activated a “major snow event response plan,” including parking restrictions on key snow routes to help plows clear away the vast accumulation.
City authorities have warned that fully clearing all streets, sidewalks and critical transit routes could take several days, as crews work around the clock to push aside the record-ending amounts. Toronto’s city manager emphasized that priority would be given to expressways and main thoroughfares before moving into residential zones, and residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel while plowing operations continue.
The winter blast also hammered travel beyond the roads. Authorities at Pearson Airport struggled with flight cancellations and delays as snow and poor conditions grounded aircraft and complicated operations. The storm’s impact on transportation rippled into neighbouring regions and even into cross-border flights, further compounding travel woes for passengers.
While the storm brought unmistakable challenges, some residents tried to make the best of a historic snowfall. Videos and social media posts showed people sledding, skiing and marveling at the depths of snow in quieter parts of the city, even as crews battled to clear the urban core.
Meteorologists attribute the extreme snowfall to a combination of an intense low-pressure system and lake-enhanced snow bands off Lake Ontario, which lead to heavier precipitation in the region than initially forecast. With bitterly cold temperatures expected to linger, officials have cautioned that icy conditions and leftover snow could continue to affect daily life in Toronto well into the week.
In a city accustomed to harsh winters, this latest storm has nevertheless set a new benchmark for snowfall, rewriting the record books and leaving a lasting impression on residents, officials and infrastructure alike.
