😱 Record Snowfall in Toronto, Canada! Ontario Buried Under Snow Due to Severe Winter Storm 😱

Not sure if I’ll get all this shoveling done.

Trying to get the cars out.

Got a bit done.

On January 25, 2026, a winter storm that hit Toronto, Canada’s most populous city, quickly caused record-breaking snowfall, leaving much of the city buried under snow.

This situation caused widespread disruptions to transportation networks and initiated an extensive cleanup and recovery process that officials said would take days.

According to data from the Canadian Ministry of the Environment, snow accumulation in downtown Toronto reached up to 60 cm during the storm, while the heaviest snow accumulation was reported in areas around Lake Ontario.

Toronto Pearson International Airport recorded 46 cm of snow on Sunday alone, marking the highest daily snowfall ever recorded at the airport.

The previous record was 36.8 cm measured on January 23, 1966.

Authorities reported that a large and powerful low-pressure system affecting much of southern Ontario caused significant transportation problems across the region, accompanied by heavy snowfall.

Winds blowing from the east carried moisture over Lake Ontario, intensifying the snowfall over the lake and causing hourly snow accumulation in the greater Toronto area to reach up to 8 to 9 cm at times.

The continuous heavy snowfall throughout Sunday, coupled with winds that intensified at times, significantly reduced visibility on highways, major roads, and residential streets.

The blowing snow combined with the snowfall created near-zero visibility conditions, especially in open areas.

Authorities emphasized that these conditions created an extremely hazardous environment for drivers.

Look at this car.

Can’t even see it.

It’s literally completely snowed in.

The Ontario Provincial Police stated that they responded to approximately 200 traffic accidents in the Toronto and Hamilton areas within a 24-hour period and that more than 150 vehicles had become stuck in ditches or stranded on the roads.

Police are urging drivers to be cautious, warning that high snow banks created by snow plows along the roadside could cause vehicles to lose control and skid.

Conditions were quite challenging for public transportation.

The Toronto Transit Commission reported significant delays and disruptions on numerous routes.

Some subway lines in the system, which carries over 1 million passengers daily, were unable to operate due to heavy snow accumulation on exposed sections of track.

It was announced that a derailment occurred on a main tram line, causing chain delays.

After the storm, education across Toronto also came to a standstill.

School administrators in the greater Toronto area announced on Sunday evening that schools would be closed on Monday.

This development means a second snow day for students in January, as schools had previously been closed on January 15 due to heavy snowfall.

Toronto city manager Paul Johnson said it could take several days to completely clear sidewalks and residential streets in most parts of the city.

Johnson stated that priority would be given to highways and main transportation routes, adding that keeping the public transportation system operational was one of the most important goals.

The city of Toronto also declared a major snowstorm event and significant weather event, announcing that parking on snow-covered roads is strictly prohibited.

Similarly, the city of Vaughan also declared a significant weather event.

The city of Mississauga, meanwhile, requested residents to shovel snow early and often to facilitate the work of snow plows.

On Monday, January 26, the morning after the storm, vehicles buried under snow and people shoveling snow were particularly noticeable in the side streets of East Toronto.

It was reported that snow depth reached approximately 60 cm in some areas of the city.

Many vehicles and parking lots were completely covered in snow.

Meteorological officials stated that a cold snap would follow the storm.

Environment Canada issued a yellow cold weather advisory for Toronto and the surrounding area, announcing that the wind chill could drop to minus 25°C at night.

Winds reaching 50 kilometers per hour are expected to begin in the evening and continue until morning.

The meteorological agency reported a 40% chance of intermittent snowfall throughout the week, with Tuesday’s high temperature expected to be around -9°C.

The Toronto Police Department is urging citizens to stay home on Monday if possible and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

They emphasize that in areas with high snow drifts, vehicles’ maneuverability is significantly reduced, which can lead to both property damage accidents and prolonged traffic congestion.

The police also point out that the ridges created by snow plows can form dangerous ramps that may cause vehicles to veer off the road.

Experts note that a snowstorm of this magnitude should not be considered merely a short-term weather event.

Such extreme events are an important test in terms of infrastructure resilience, the effectiveness of emergency plans, and the response capacity of municipalities.

In the case of Toronto, it is emphasized that the activation of the central response system was a positive step in terms of coordination, but the process was prolonged due to the extraordinary amount of snow.

The storm serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with severe winter weather and the importance of preparedness in facing such natural events.

As the cleanup continues, residents are left to navigate the aftermath of the storm, with many hoping for clearer skies and easier travel in the days to come.