A powerful winter storm brought the Greater Toronto Area to a standstill on Thursday, leading to hundreds of crashes, closed schools, and widespread delays on public transit. CTV
A powerful winter storm swept through Toronto on Thursday, bringing daily life to a halt across the Greater Toronto Area. Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and bitter cold caused hundreds of crashes, forced school closures, and disrupted transit services throughout the day.
Weather officials warned early that the region could receive as much as 40 centimetres of snow. While the snowfall warning later lifted for most of the area, the damage had already spread across roads, highways, and neighbourhoods.
Roads Overwhelmed by Snow and Ice
Police reported more than 400 collisions and service calls within 24 hours, including vehicles stranded in snowbanks and ditches. Several major highways, including Highway 400 and parts of the Don Valley Parkway, closed for hours due to crashes and icy conditions.
“The snow has mostly moved off to the east but there’s still a lot of areas that are snow-covered and slippery,” said Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. “Plows have been working hard. They will continue to work hard overnight until all their jobs are done.”
Emergency crews urged drivers to stay off the roads unless travel was necessary. Even vehicles with winter tires struggled on snow-packed ramps and icy stretches.
Transit and Travel Disruptions
Public transit faced major challenges. Service on the Finch West LRT shut down for the entire day, while dozens of bus stops went out of service. Subway lines continued running, but surface routes faced delays.
At Toronto Pearson Airport, more than 20 centimetres of snow fell by late afternoon. Nearly one-quarter of flights were cancelled, and many others faced delays. Airport crews worked nonstop to clear runways and taxiways as travellers checked flight updates before heading out.
City Declares Major Snowstorm Event
By late afternoon, city officials declared a major snowstorm condition. The declaration allowed the city to enforce parking bans on snow routes and remove snow from areas with limited space. Vehicles parked illegally faced towing and fines.
Mayor Olivia Chow said more than 1,300 city staff and contractors worked across Toronto to clear roads, sidewalks, and transit routes. Crews focused first on highways and major streets before moving into residential areas.
Schools, Services Adjust Schedules
All public schools closed for the day, though some families reported delays in receiving closure notices. Libraries closed early, and several childcare centres shut their doors. City programs in nearby communities also paused operations as travel conditions worsened.
Officials warned that the cleanup would take time, especially with cold temperatures reducing the effectiveness of road salt.
More Snow Possible
Although snowfall eased by evening, weather forecasters warned that more snow could arrive Friday, adding five to seven centimetres to already high totals. Light snow may continue into the weekend, keeping cleanup crews busy.
Residents were urged to check plowing schedules, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain patient as the city works through the aftermath.
