Eastern Canada is currently grappling with significant winter storms, leading to substantial snowfall accumulations and school closures across the region. Major cities, from Toronto to Halifax, have reported accumulations upwards of 20 cm of snow, compounded by gusty winds creating treacherous travel conditions.
On January 29, 2025, parts of Ontario were hit by a powerful clipper system, leaving snowy roads and impacting traffic across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Environmental alerts were raised as accumulations of five to ten cm were anticipated throughout the day. According to Environment Canada, Toronto experienced around five centimetres of snow, with certain areas west of downtown recording as much as ten cm. Winds gusting up to 70 km/h were expected to exacerbate the situation, creating near whiteout conditions.
Drivers were warned to proceed with caution as reports flooded in about hazardous driving conditions. “The winter weather was impacting several school bus routes across the GTA Wednesday morning,” noted various sources reporting delays and cancellations. Public transport agencies worked tirelessly to keep services running, but many faced interruptions. Toronto schools remained open, but conditions led to chaos on many routes.
School closures were not limited to Ontario. All English and French school buses were cancelled across eastern Ontario due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. An advisory from Environment Canada indicated a winter weather travel advisory would remain effective for various parts of the province. With this advisory reporting up to five cm more snow expected by noon, parents were alerted to delays and cancellations.
Quebec also faced severe weather effects, as back-to-back storm systems created substantial travel delays, with blowing snow and whiteout conditions making commuting hazardous. Traffic jams were reported frequently, with some drivers stranded amid heavy snowfall and poor visibility.
Atlantic Canada, too, was not spared from the winter’s wrath. The storm led to widespread cancellations of school bus services, leaving many students to find alternate means of transport. Local authorities scrambled to manage school operations amid the chaos, as parents were kept informed via announcements from various jurisdictions.
The impact of the storm was considerable enough to prompt multiple advisories and cautionary messages about driving safety. “A winter travel advisory issued for Toronto and the GTA...dangerous driving conditions,” said officials from Environment Canada, emphasizing the quick changes and unpredictable nature of winter weather conditions.
By mid-afternoon, Toronto saw temperatures falling to -4°C, with wind chill factors plunging to -14°C. The City of Toronto confirmed its snow-clearing crews had been deployed through the night, working to clear streets and sidewalks. Efforts included up to 10 cm of snow anticipated within the city following the advisory notification.
Meanwhile, Pearson airport reported they staffed crews to clear runways after significant snowfall impacted flight schedules. They indicated no major operational changes were anticipated but were prepared to adapt as weather conditions were closely monitored. Over 900 flights were scheduled for the day with passengers advised to check on the status of their flights.
Snow squall warnings were also communicated for other regions including cottage country near London, Owen Sound, and Collingwood. Here, conditions were projected to worsen with snow totals surging between 15 to 25 cm, rendering visibility near zero at times due to gust winds. The snow squalls are expected to taper off by evening, but the situation left many drivers with choices about whether to travel or stay safe at home.
Drivers and individuals, particularly those commuting during peak travel hours, were advised to take considerable caution. Traffic reports continued to show major delays as snow-covered roads impacted driving conditions.
Overall, the winter weather has significantly disrupted daily life across Eastern Canada. With more snow anticipated and the current conditions persisting, residents are encouraged to stay informed of weather reports and exercise caution on the roads.