As heavy snow continued to blanket the Greater Toronto Area Sunday, several municipal services were impacted due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
Environment Canada, which issued a severe orange weather warning, said snow accumulation may near or exceed 60 centimetres, particularly for southern areas of Toronto and Mississauga. Peak snowfall rates range from five to 10 centimetres per hour and a total of 30 to 50 centimetres of snow are expected to fall.
Residents are being warned of dangerous travel conditions, including the possibility of near-zero visibility at times.
Prior to Sunday’s storm, Toronto had already recorded 105 centimetres of snow this winter, Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips told CBC Toronto Sunday afternoon — that’s nearly double what the city normally gets between November and January.
“[Toronto and the GTA] is absolutely going to be the snowiest place in Canada today,” he said. “The amounts of snow are quite impressive.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest impacts to transit, flights and your municipality.
Service cancellations on TTC, over half of Pearson flights cancelled
As of Sunday evening, 48 bus stops across the city were not in service to avoid the risk of buses getting stuck in the heavy snow, according to the TTC’s website.
Commuters taking transit are encouraged to plan ahead and take extra time for travel, the TTC said on social media.
Service on Line 2 resumed between Kipling and Islington stations after it temporarily shut down on two occasions for a switch issue, the transit organization said.
Service on Line 2 was down once again between Victoria Park and Kennedy stations Sunday afternoon due to weather conditions, the TTC said in a post to social media. Service on Line 2 between Jane and St George stations was also down due to the storm.
In an update Sunday evening, the TTC said service between Jane and St George stations had resumed.
On Sunday afternoon, the TTC also said there was no service on Line 1 between Lawrence and St Clair stations due to weather conditions.
The TTC also said shuttle buses were running along Line 6 as of 11:29 a.m. Sunday. In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the TTC said there is no service between Finch West and Humber College stations due to a mechanical problem.
In a statement to CBC Toronto Sunday evening, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said this is “not a normal winter storm” and the safety of employees and customers is the priority.
“The TTC is navigating as best we can under the conditions while keeping everyone safe,” he said. “Our crews are working incredibly hard to keep the city moving on blocked and snow-covered roads and open air areas of the subway, but everything is taking much longer than normal.”
About 65 per cent of Pearson International Airport’s departing flights over the next 24 hours and 64 per cent of arriving flights over the next 24 hours were cancelled as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the airport’s website.
According to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s website, 30 departing flights and 30 arriving flights were cancelled on Sunday. As well, 14 arriving flights and 13 departing flights Monday were cancelled as of 8 p.m. Sunday.
Roads will be slippery and snow-covered throughout the day Sunday and possibly Monday, said Toronto police on social media.
It reminded residents to not park in snow routes and steer clear of snowplows.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, Toronto police said a snowplow struck a gas line in the area of Queen Street W. and Niagara Street. Businesses and residents from Claremont Street to Manning Avenue were being evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
Toronto Fire told CBC Toronto 40 people were evacuated. As of 9:30 p.m., Toronto police said residents were being allowed back into their homes and closed roads had been reopened.
In a post to social media Sunday, the Ontario Provincial Police said it has responded to approximately 100 collisions in the past 24 hours.
“No reports of any serious collisions so far,” the OPP said. “#EyesUp, slow down, drive safe. Be prepared for treacherous driving conditions. Stay home if you can.”
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said provincial police have also responded to 100 calls for vehicles stuck in ditches or snow banks.
“It has been a busy day,” he told CBC Toronto Sunday. “[The weather] is certainly catching many drivers by surprise.”
Schmidt said it’s important to remain vigilant Sunday overnight.
“It’ll be even harder to see where you’re going,” he said. “You have to have your full attention.”
Schmidt said drivers should ensure their vehicle is cleared of snow, their full headlight system is on and give themselves extra space to stop.
“Just be patient and be kind, be considerate and understand that it’s a challenge for everybody out on the roads,” he said. “Don’t be in a hurry and let’s all get to where we’re going safely, although it will take some time.”
In a post to social media Sunday evening, the OPP said there had been 57 crashes in west region over the span of 12 hours Sunday.
“The #snow is falling and our phones are ringing,” provincial police said. “#OPP urging drivers to slow down, and if possible stay home and OFF the roads.”
Toronto libraries closed, schools monitor weather
The City of Toronto declared a significant weather event and activated its major snow event response plan Sunday afternoon.
The city’s plan means its emergency operations centre is activated to coordinate resources, communications and operations across divisions. It also means support staff were redeployed to assist with snow clearing, inspections and towing.
It also means there will be enhanced parking enforcement and towing strategy to remove vehicles obstructing snow routes and winter operations crews.
Mayor Olivia Chow provided a Sunday evening update on snow operations, as the city declared its second major snow event of 2026.
In a post to social media Sunday, the City of Toronto said city crews would be out around the clock to ensure clear access to roads, sidewalks and bikeways.
“Please stay home if you can and if you must travel, stay safe and give crews space to safely perform their work,” said the city.
In a post to social media Sunday evening, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said there were more than 600 snowplows on roads and sidewalks and over 1,300 city staff and contractors clearing the snow.
At a news conference Sunday evening, the city’s manager Paul Johnson said no parking is allowed on major snowplow routes as of 4 p.m. Sunday. Headded it will be a challenge to move around Monday.
“Give yourself a little extra time if you have to go somewhere first thing tomorrow morning. It’s the beginning of the work week. We know,” he said. “This is going to take us into Monday, there’s no question.”
Johnson said there multiple rounds of plowing overnight.
All English GTA school boards declared Monday a snow day, as has the French public Viamonde School Board. Only the French Catholic school board has not yet announced.
The city announced several cancellations of its services on social media Sunday, including:
- Recreation programs at schools.
- All registered and instructional programs on Sunday afternoon.
- Outdoor skating lessons.
- Museum and cultural centre closures.
- All library branches are closed.
- Outdoor ice rinks may close temporarily for snow clearing.
In a post to social media Sunday afternoon, the city said all community centres, arenas and outdoor rinks were closed at 6 p.m.
The Toronto District School Board said on social media that all permits for school usage on Sunday were cancelled.
The University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus was closed Sunday due to hazardous conditions. Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus was also closed due to severe weather Sunday.
Mississauga: Street parking restriction to come at 2 p.m.
In a news release Sunday evening, Peel Region declared a significant weather event and urged residents to stay off roads.
A citywide parking restriction was issued in Mississauga at 2 p.m. Sunday to suspend all street parking, including temporary and monthly permits, the city said on social media.
It said cars found blocking snowplow routes would be fined.
In a social media post Sunday evening, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said the city tagged 525 cars Sunday with another 300 to 400 expected overnight.
“Get cars out of the path of our plows!!!!”
Libraries, city hall and outdoor rinks were closed Sunday, while community centres and arenas closed at noon, due to the heavy snow, the city said.
Transit service could face delays or cancellations as weather conditions changed throughout the day, Mississauga transit service MiWay said on social media Sunday.
Brampton libraries closed due to ‘treacherous weather’
Libraries throughout Brampton were closed as of 11:52 a.m. Sunday due to the “treacherous weather,” said Brampton Libraries on social media.
Community recycling centres throughout Peel Region were closed as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday to ensure the safety of staff and residents, said the region on social media.
It said centres would re-open at regular hours on Monday depending on the weather.
Vaughan says help needed to clear catch basins
Service Vaughan received a large number of calls Sunday about blocked catch basins and fire hydrants, said the City of Vaughan.
It’s requesting residents to help clear any blockages seen in their neighbourhoods.
The city declared a significant weather event Sunday morning and said it might take longer than usual to clear roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.
Community centres in Vaughan remained open Sunday with regular hours of operation. Kleinburg Library, located at 10341 Islington Ave., closed for the day, while all other Vaughan libraries remained open until 5 p.m.
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