Residents of the Greater Toronto Area are being told to brace for another round of snowfall this Friday, January 16, 2026, as the region continues to dig out from a significant winter storm that hit on January 15.
Recovery Underway After Major Winter Blast
The city of Toronto and surrounding areas are in recovery mode after a major winter storm swept through on Wednesday, January 15, 2026. The storm brought heavy snow and challenging conditions, prompting officials to declare snow events in several municipalities including Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Wilmot.
Road crews have been working around the clock, with snowplows visible on major arteries like the one captured in a photo from January 15 in Toronto. The cleanup is complicated by incidents across the province, including a section of Highway 401 in eastern Ontario closed due to serious collisions and a driver in London who needed rescue by firefighters using ropes after becoming stranded in a snowy ditch.
Friday's Forecast and Commuting Challenges
Environment Canada is monitoring a system that could deliver more snow to the GTA by Friday. This potential new snowfall threatens to impact the afternoon commute and could hinder ongoing cleanup efforts from the previous storm.
Authorities are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution. Updated road closures are in effect, with Highway 401 impacted near Tilbury, Ridgetown, and Comber. Visibility may be reduced due to blowing snow, a hazard also expected to affect roads in Manitoba.
Residents are advised to check for the latest weather-related closures and cancellations in Toronto before heading out. The advice for the afternoon commute remains to allow extra travel time, use public transit if possible, and ensure vehicles are properly cleared of ice and snow.
National Weather Extremes Highlight Contrast
While Ontario deals with winter's grip, other parts of Canada are experiencing unseasonable warmth. In a stark contrast, seven communities in British Columbia set new high temperature records on Wednesday, with some areas reaching a remarkable 12 degrees Celsius in January.
This warm and dry pattern in the west has raised concerns, leading to a fire advisory being issued for Rocky View County in Alberta due to dry, windy, and warm conditions.
As the GTA prepares for another possible snow event, the varying conditions across the country underscore Canada's diverse and often extreme winter weather patterns. Officials continue to advise the public to stay informed through official weather alerts and plan accordingly.
