A powerful winter storm is wreaking havoc across Ontario and Quebec, bringing up to 25 cm of snow and causing major travel disruptions. The storm has led to over four flight cancellations across key airports, including Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, and Toronto City Centre. Public transit has also been severely impacted, with TTC service changes, GO Train schedule adjustments, and halted bus routes.
Road conditions have rapidly deteriorated, prompting hazardous travel warnings and urging drivers to avoid non-essential travel. Some areas, including the Niagara Peninsula, are also experiencing freezing rain, making conditions even more dangerous. In response, cities have declared significant weather events, keeping warming centers open and deploying crews to clear streets and runways.
With more snow expected to accumulate, authorities continue to monitor the situation as new updates emerge on closures, delays, and safety measures across Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and beyond.
Major Snowstorm Slams Toronto Causing Travel Chaos and Closures
Toronto remains under a winter storm warning as heavy snowfall continues to blanket the city. Environment Canada warns that the heaviest snowfall is still to come, with 15 to 25 centimetres expected to accumulate by Sunday night.
The storm has already made roads treacherous, prompting the Ontario Provincial Police to urge drivers to slow down amid numerous reported crashes. Meanwhile, strong winds and blowing snow are reducing visibility, making travel even more hazardous.
Snow Accumulation and Cold Temperatures
Toronto has already seen significant snowfall this week, with nearly 20 cm falling between Wednesday and Thursday, while Mississauga recorded over 30 cm, the most in almost two years. With below-zero temperatures expected next week, city officials warn that the snow is likely to linger.
Barbara Gray, Toronto’s general manager of transportation services, emphasized that clearing efforts will take time, stating, “Much of the snow that’s there will only move if we move it.”
Toronto Pearson International Airport (Total: 231 Cancellations)
- Jazz: 84 cancellations (65%)
- Air Canada: 52 cancellations (17%)
- WestJet: 48 cancellations (45%)
- Porter Airlines: 21 cancellations (24%)
- Republic: 9 cancellations (21%)
- Air Canada Rouge: 3 cancellations (5%)
- Alaska Airlines: 2 cancellations (100%)
- Avianca Costa Rica: 2 cancellations (100%)
- Avianca: 2 cancellations (40%)
- PSA Airlines: 2 cancellations (14%)
- American Airlines: 2 cancellations (25%)
- TAP Air Portugal: 2 cancellations (100%)
- Air France: 1 cancellation (50%)
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (Total: 117 Cancellations)
- Jazz: 70 cancellations (71%)
- Air Canada: 26 cancellations (22%)
- Porter Airlines: 5 cancellations (13%)
- PSA Airlines: 4 cancellations (100%)
- Air Canada Rouge: 4 cancellations (11%)
- WestJet: 3 cancellations (75%)
- TAP Air Portugal: 2 cancellations (100%)
- Swiss: 2 cancellations (100%)
Toronto City Centre Airport (Total: 40 Cancellations)
- Jazz: 22 cancellations (100%)
- Porter Airlines: 18 cancellations (22%)
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (Total: 53 Cancellations)
- Jazz: 20 cancellations (83%)
- Air Canada: 13 cancellations (46%)
- Porter Airlines: 12 cancellations (19%)
- GoJet: 5 cancellations (62%)
- WestJet: 2 cancellations (33%)
- PAL Airlines: 1 cancellation (16%)
Total Flight Cancellations Across All Airports: 441
Similar travel chaos is reported at Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto City Centre, and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier airports, with hundreds of flight cancellations and delays across Eastern Canada.
Public Transit and Road Closures
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is deploying additional maintenance crews to spread salt and clear snow but has still been forced to suspend service at 56 transit stops.
- Subway Line 2: No service between Woodbine and Kennedy, replaced by shuttle buses.
- Express Bus Routes: Running local service, except for routes 900 and 927.
Metrolinx has also modified GO Train schedules, including:
- Lakeshore West: Trains only running every 30 minutes between Union Station and Oakville.
- Lakeshore East: Trains running every 30 minutes between Union Station and Oshawa.
Citywide Closures and Warming Centres
The storm has forced several Toronto landmarks to close:
- Royal Ontario Museum & Art Gallery of Ontario – Closed Sunday.
- Toronto History Museums – Closed until Monday.
- Toronto Zoo – Closed Sunday, expected to reopen for Family Day.
- All Toronto Public Library branches – Closed Sunday.
Warming centres remain open at multiple locations for those in need, including Metro Hall and sites on Spadina Road, Elizabeth Street, Holmes Avenue, and Scarborough Golf Club Road.
More Snow to Come
With up to 5 cm of snow per hour expected at its peak and freezing rain possible in the Niagara region, authorities are urging non-essential travel to be postponed. The city is maintaining its major snowstorm condition alert, and officials warn that snow-clearing efforts will take days to complete.
Stay updated on weather conditions and travel disruptions, and if you must travel, exercise caution on the roads.
The post Canada Hit by Massive Snowstorm Slamming Ontario and Quebec With Up to 25 cm of Snow, Over Four Hundred Flight Cancellations, Transit Disruptions, Road Closures, and Hazardous Travel Warnings Across Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Niagara: New Updates appeared first on Travel And Tour World.February 16, 2025 at 11:30PM.jpeg){kind=small}
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