Snow Day in Toronto as school boards cancel classes, drivers asked to stay off roads if possible due to heavy snowfall

A strong snowstorm sweeping through Toronto last night and today is bringing the season’s heaviest snowfall, with forecasters predicting 20 to 30 centimeters expected to fall before conditions subside this afternoon.

Today’s heavy snow and windy conditions has led to a Snow Day for local school students as both the Toronto District School Board and Toronto District Catholic School Board cancelled classes for Thursday, Jan. 15.

As of 8 a.m. today, Environment Canada issued an orange snowfall warning, with temperatures expected to reach a low of -21◦C with wind chill, and snowfall continuing throughout the day until around 9 p.m.

The government of Canada describes an orange snowfall warning as “major, widespread” weather conditions that are “likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.
As a result of current snowfall conditions, schools across the GTA (including Toronto’s) have been closed for the day as have a number of post-secondary institutions. Toronto Public Library branches will be closed until noon today.

The snowstorm has also caused major closures along the Don Valley Parkway from Eglinton Avenue to the Gardiner Expressway, and northbound lanes have been closed from Bloor Street.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this morning, Toronto Police Traffic Services has warned drivers to stay off the roads if possible. “As the snow continuous to fall, road conditions continue to deteriorate. Many businesses and services are closed for the day. Stay off the roads if possible. If you do find yourself out there, have lots of washer fluid, make sure your windows are clear of snow and ice and please slow way down.”

For more information about today’s weather conditions, please head to https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=43.655,-79.383.