What to know
- Toronto is under an orange weather alert, with 20–35 cm of snow now expected to move through the region.
- City crews warn snow clearing could take several days, with multiple rounds of plowing required.
- Driving conditions remain hazardous, with reduced visibility, black ice, and closures including parts of the Don Valley Parkway.
- Schools, universities, and some attractions are closed, while TTC routes, flights at Pearson Airport, and public services are experiencing delays.
- Warming centres are open across Toronto, as wind chills make temperatures feel as low as -25 C.
Take cover, Toronto! Residents woke up this morning to white-covered roads and sidewalks, school closures and transit disruptions, with up to 35 cm of snow now expected to hit the city.
Environment Canada first issued a yellow warning across Southern Ontario on Wednesday, predicting about 10–20 cm of snow through Thursday afternoon. However, the warning has since been updated to an orange alert, with 20–35 cm of snow now expected to hit the city before slowing down this afternoon.
Residents can also expect reduced visibility during their commute, due to heavy snow and local blowing snow, which the agency says may significantly impact rush hour traffic. Environment Canada is advising those who can stay home to do so.
While yellow alerts are used for more common weather events, Environment Canada issues orange alerts for less common ones which can have major impact and last for a few days.
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According to the weather agency, the significant weather event comes as a “low pressure system” brings snowfall and very cold wind chills to the region.
Freezing cold temperatures are also expected today, with a high of -9 C and a low of -12 C, while wind chills will make it feel like -25 C this morning and -19 C this afternoon.
RESIDENTS REACT TO SNOW STORM
All over the city, residents are reacting to the significant snowfall, with some calling the storm one of the worst in the last few years.
MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SNOW CLEARING REQUIRED
The City of Toronto says it started plowing and salting streets since accumulation first started on Wednesday, in preparation for the storm.
As the snowfall is still ongoing, the city warns that “multiple rounds of snow clearing” are still required to make sure sidewalks, roads, and bike lanes are safe for use.
The city follows a priority sequence for snow clearing to ensure that first responders and critical services are able to freely move. The sequence includes:
- Expressways and major roads
- Transit routes and collector roads
- Residential streets
Considering the significant accumulation expected, the city says it might need “several days” to clear off snow, and urges residents to be patient and plan ahead.
“We appreciate residents’ patience as teams work to clear all roads and priority areas as safely and efficiently as possible,” the city said in a statement Wednesday morning.
The city asks residents to avoid non-essential travel, consider taking public transit as there could be slippery conditions, park off-roads, and stay back from snow clearing vehicles and crews.
WARMING CENTRES
Warming centres are also open across the city, offering a place for individuals to rest, warm up, access meals, and be referred to community services. Walk-ins are currently welcome at:
- 136 Spadina Rd. (South of Dupont St.)
- 81 Elizabeth St. (Behind City Hall. West of Bay St., south of Dundas St. W.)
- 349 George St. (East of Jarvis St., south of Gerrard St. E.)
- 12 Holmes Ave. (Off of Yonge St., south of Finch Ave. E.)
- 885 Scarborough Golf Club Rd. (East of Markham Rd., south of Ellesmere Rd.)
The city will also open two additional surge warming centres starting at 5 p.m. today at:
- Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil St. (East of Spadina Ave., south of College St.)
- Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, 870 Queen St. E. (East of Broadview Ave., north of Queen St. E.)
DRIVING CONDITIONS
Toronto Police Services (TPS) and Ontario Provincial Police urge residents who need to be on the road to slow down and prepare their vehicles for the snowy conditions.
Earlier this morning, TPS also warned residents that the Don Valley Parkway had been closed in both directions due to a series of minor collisions and black ice.
As of 12:30 p.m., the highway has already been reopened both ways, according to police.
SERVICE CLOSURES
Snowy conditions have also impacted travel in the city, with Toronto Pearson Airport warning that some arriving and departing flights have been affected by the weather.
Travellers are now being advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport and stay tuned for updates. Snow clearing operations are currently in place.
Although TTC vehicles are still running, several routes have been impacted by the weather, causing delays and route changes. Torontonians can monitor transit changes by heading to the TTC website.
The Toronto Zoo is also closed for the day as a result of the weather, as it takes steps to protect the safety of animals, guests and staff amid the storm.
Several school boards have also announced cancellation of buses and school closures this morning due to snow, including:
- Toronto District School Board
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Peel District School Board
- York Region District School Board
- York Catholic District School Board
- Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
- Durham District School Board
- Durham Catholic District School Board
Universities and colleges across the city have also announced that their campuses are closed today, including:
- University of Toronto
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- York University
- Humber Polytechnic
- George Brown
- Centennial College
- OCAD
- Seneca Polytechnic
In addition, Toronto Public Library branches are delaying their opening to 12 p.m. today.
