Snow, plunging temperatures in Ontario could make for messy Thursday morning commute
Written by The Canadian Press on January 14, 2026
A blast of winter weather is sweeping over Ontario, where temperatures are expected to plunge and the snow is set to pile up.
Snowfall and snow squall warnings are in place across large parts of the province, setting up a possible messy Thursday morning commute.
Environment Canada says the Greater Toronto Area and north to Barrie could see up to 20 centimetres tonight through Thursday afternoon.
Snowfall totals could reach up to 25 centimetres across Eastern Ontario and into Ottawa.
Squalls off Lake Huron could dump between 20 and 40 centimetres of snow on Sarnia and the surrounding region, which is shaping up to be among the hardest-hit areas by the storm.
The switch is set to be flipped on the recent stretch of mild temperatures with Environment Canada forecasting daytime highs of around -9 C for Toronto and Ottawa.
“People are definitely going to want to dress for the weather. They’re also going to want to give themselves plenty of extra time to get where they’re going,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson.
The biggest impacts would be felt during the Thursday morning commute, when blowing snow and very cold temperatures collide, said Coulson. He said impacts could linger for the evening commute too.
It looks as though there’s still “quite a bit of winter left to go,” Coulson said. Starting Monday, several forecast models have colder than normal conditions lasting through January and maybe even into early February, he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.
– With files from Fatima Raza in Toronto.
Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press