Heavy snowfall to hit Toronto, much of southern Ontario on Wednesday: Environment Canada

February 12, 2025 Canuck

Commuters could see a messy drive home Wednesday evening, with heavy snow expected to hit much of southern Ontario — including the Greater Toronto Area.

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning Tuesday night ahead of a major winter storm set to hit the area on Wednesday.

The forecast calls for the “significant snowfall” to begin late Wednesday afternoon and continue until Thursday morning. Environment Canada said the city could receive about 15 centimetres of snow. The snow will be heavy at times, it added.

Wednesday night will see the heaviest snowfall, the federal weather agency said. At its peak, snowfall rates could be two to four centimetres per hour.

Snow may become mixed with ice pellets late Wednesday evening and overnight in some areas, but it is expected to taper off gradually on Thursday morning.

Environment Canada warned the snowfall will affect the Wednesday evening commute. Visibility could be poor during heavy snow and drivers should be prepared to adjust to changing road conditions, the weather agency said.

The following areas are currently under snowfall warning: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Uxbridge, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Newmarket, Georgina, York Region, Oakville, Halton Hills, Milton, and Hamilton.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale for Wednesday evening into Thursday. Total snowfall amounts could reach up to 30 centimetres, Environment Canada said. At its peak, snowfall rates could exceed five centimetres an hour.

Parking on snow routes banned from 10 p.m., city says

The City of Toronto has declared a significant weather event and major snowstorm condition starting 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Woman holding a road sign that designates a snow route — Parking on designated as snow routes in Toronto will be banned from 10 p.m. Wednesday to make way for winter maintenance equipment, the city said. Signs designating these routes are always up, said Barbara Gray, the city’s general manager of transportation services. (Saeed Dehghanhi/CBC)

While these declarations are in place, parking on roads designated as snow routes is banned to make way for winter maintenance equipment, the city said in a news release Wednesday morning.

These routes are designated by signs that are up all year round, said Barbara Gray, the city’s general manager of transportation services, during a news conference Wednesday.

Vehicles parked on snow routes will be towed and owners could be fined up to $200, the city said.

The significant weather event declaration means the city will be exempt from provincial service levels for winter maintenance, as it will take longer than usual to clear city roads, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

The city is anticipating more snow on the weekend, with a further 35 centimetres of snow possible by Sunday night, Gray said.

“We anticipate these declarations will remain in effect until Tuesday, but they could be cancelled sooner if the forecast changes and the roads are deemed safe and passable,” she said.

People are being asked to avoid plowing snow from their private property onto city roads or sidewalks.

Thursday morning commute could also be affected

The storm is a widespread system affecting southern and eastern Ontario, said Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

He said Mississauga, Milton and Burlington could see flurries before heavier snowfall begins Wednesday afternoon.

People are urged to avoid non-essential travel during the storm, Ontario Provincial Police’s highway safety division said in a post on X on Tuesday night. Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate on Wednesday and Thursday, officials said.

Winter weather is on the way and will result in deteriorating driving conditions Wednesday and Thursday. <br>Avoid non-essential travel during the storm. If you have to be out there, adjust your driving and do not try to pass an echelon of snow plows clearing the roads. Stay in… <a href=”https://t.co/KTeGZYd5oX”>pic.twitter.com/KTeGZYd5oX</a>

—@OPP_HSD

Though most of the snow is expected to have fallen by Thursday morning, Coulson said ice pellets and freezing rain in some areas could create slick conditions for commuters.

“If you don’t need to be out there this evening or first thing on Thursday, [it’s] a good idea to be staying at home,” Coulson said.

Several flights cancelled, Pearson Airport says

In a post on X, the TTC advised people to take public transit instead of driving during the storm.

Public Safety Canada said everyone is encouraged to make an emergency plan and have an emergency kit that contains drinking water, food, medicine, a first aid kit and a flashlight.

Several airlines have cancelled flights in anticipation of the storm, Toronto Pearson International Airport said in a post on X on Wednesday morning.

People flying on Wednesday and Thursday are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline, it said.

Airport staff will clear snow off runways and taxiways Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, the airport said.

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Canada News

Heavy snowfall to hit Toronto, much of southern Ontario on Wednesday: Environment Canada

Parking on snow routes banned from 10 p.m., city says

Thursday morning commute could also be affected

Several flights cancelled, Pearson Airport says

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