Major Snowstorm Poised to Blanket Parts of the GTA
So, here’s what’s going on across the Greater Toronto Area right now as this winter system settles in. A lot of southern Ontario woke up to messy, snow-packed conditions, but Toronto itself ended up dodging the heaviest bands of snow that were originally expected. A light snow shower moved through overnight, but the intense snow squalls forecasted by Environment Canada didn’t materialize in the city. Still, that doesn’t mean the region is in the clear.
Several surrounding communities were placed under yellow weather warnings or watches, meaning conditions could become hazardous enough to impact travel, damage property, or pose risks to health. Areas like Halton Hills, Milton, Hamilton, and the Pickering–Oshawa stretch in Durham Region were flagged early, while Burlington and Oakville were placed under special weather statements due to the possibility of lake-effect snow reducing visibility.
Also Read:- Leafs and Capitals Trade Blows in a High-Energy Washington Clash
- Kim Tate’s Life Hangs in the Balance After Sam’s Plan Goes Horribly Wrong
Just outside the GTA, things intensified quickly. Northern York Region, Guelph, Waterloo, Barrie, and parts of Durham found themselves under full snow squall warnings. Some spots even escalated to orange alerts—signals for severe weather with impacts that could last for days. Barrie, for example, reported more than 20 centimetres of snow by the early hours of Friday morning, and the city officially declared a “winter maintenance event.” This meant on-street parking restrictions were activated to give plow crews the space they needed to manage what could end up being between 30 and 60 centimetres of accumulation.
School transportation was hit hard in multiple regions. The Simcoe County District School Board cancelled buses across its north, central, and south zones—affecting cities like Barrie, Innisfil, and Orillia—while Waterloo Region also cancelled buses, taxis, and special education routes. Schools themselves remained open, but families faced a tricky commute. In Toronto, some school buses were delayed, but none were cancelled.
And the snow isn’t done yet. Many communities north of the city, including Newmarket and Georgina, are expected to see as much as 60 centimetres by Saturday morning. Waterloo, Cambridge, and Kitchener could even push toward 70 centimetres. Strong winds are expected to keep visibility near zero at times, and drivers have been urged to avoid non-essential travel. The OPP posted reminders for people to slow down, drive to conditions, and give plows plenty of room to do their work.
Meanwhile in Toronto, temperatures are hovering around freezing, with wind chills dipping well below. Warming centres across the city are being opened to ensure anyone without shelter has a safe place to go. The chance of snow continues into the evening with gusty winds, but the weekend outlook shows only a slight risk of additional flurries.
So while Toronto managed to sidestep the worst of it, much of southern Ontario is gearing up for a long, snowy stretch heading into Saturday. Stay warm, stay cautious, and if you’re driving—take it slow.
Read More:
0 Comments