January 15, 2026
RED FM News Desk
A powerful winter storm is sweeping across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, bringing what forecasters warn could be the heaviest snowfall of the season, with totals reaching as high as 35 centimetres in some areas before conditions ease later today.
Environment Canada upgraded its snowfall alert early Thursday morning, moving from a yellow warning issued Wednesday to a rare orange snowfall warning as of 8 a.m. The orange designation signals severe weather that is likely to cause major disruption, damage, or health impacts, with effects that could be widespread or last several days.
“Snowfall amounts of 20 to 35 centimetres are expected, with reduced visibility at times in heavy snow and local blowing snow,” Environment Canada said in its latest advisory. Snowfall is expected to continue through the morning hours before tapering off later this afternoon.
According to CityNews chief meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai, forecast models showed more than 20 centimetres of snow falling across parts of the GTA, beginning Wednesday evening. Downtown Toronto is expected to receive lower totals, ranging from approximately five to 15 centimetres.
Weather officials warned that the storm’s timing would significantly affect travel. Heavy snow overnight led to hazardous conditions for the Thursday morning commute, compounded by strong winds that created blowing snow and poor visibility.
“There may be a significant impact on rush-hour traffic,” Environment Canada said, urging residents to prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating travel conditions and to allow extra time for commuting.
The heaviest snowfall is expected north and east of the city, including Scarborough, York Region, and Durham Region, where accumulations could surpass 20 centimetres by Thursday afternoon. Gusty winds in these areas are also contributing to drifting and blowing snow.
As a result of the storm, several Toronto schools were closed Thursday morning, with multiple school boards across the GTHA following suit. Transit services throughout the region also experienced delays and disruptions.
For context, the largest single-day snowfall recorded at Toronto Pearson International Airport so far this season was 12 centimetres on Dec. 26. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, 12 centimetres had already been measured at Pearson, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing storm.
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