TORONTO — Schools across the Greater Toronto Area are closed as commuters face transit shutdowns and delays following a record-breaking winter storm that left mountains of snow clogging driveways and streets in its wake.
Environment Canada says Pearson International Airport saw the highest daily total snowfall on record with 46 centimetres on Sunday, bringing this month’s snowfall total to 88.2 centimetres. That makes it the snowiest January and snowiest month since records began in 1937.
Toronto city manager Paul Johnson said it’s likely going to take a couple of days until snow is cleared all the way to the curb. He said snow removal crews will do their best to clear expressways and major roads, and that keeping transit operating is a priority.
The city has activated its second major snow event response plan of the year, which includes a parking ban on some major streets as well as streetcar routes.
The Toronto Transit Commission reported major problems on multiple transit routes Monday morning, with subway service shut down between several stations on Lines 1 and 2, and the entire Line 6 — the new Finch West LRT service — shut down. Shuttle buses were running instead, with delays due to road conditions also affecting streetcar service across the city.
Meanwhile, GO trains were running on a special schedule in the aftermath of the storm, and commuters are urged to double check the departure times.
Mayor Olivia Chow also urged residents to help their neighbours if they’re having difficulty or are stuck, and to call 311 if they need help from the city.
The Toronto District School Board, the York Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board were among several boards to close all of their schools on Monday.
Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto also closed all of their campuses on Monday, while York University said all in-person activities would be postponed, cancelled or delivered remotely if possible.
Flight-tracking site FlightAware said more than 600 flights were cancelled at Pearson International Airport in a 24-hour span, and the airport was warning of further delays on Monday as cleanup continued.
The airport also said in a social media post that flights to and from Atlantic Canada and certain parts of the United States may be affected due to weather.
Travellers are advised to check directly with their airline before coming to the airport and give themselves plenty of time to get there.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2026.
The Canadian Press
