Environment Canada has issued a significant blizzard warning for several areas in southwestern Ontario, prompting school bus cancellations and creating dangerous travel conditions for Monday, January 19, 2026.
Warning in Effect for Multiple Regions
The national weather agency confirmed the blizzard warning is active for regions west of the Kitchener area. The affected zones include Huron East, North Perth, and Stratford. The warning indicates the potential for blowing snow and reduced visibility, creating blizzard-like conditions that pose serious risks to motorists and residents.
Immediate Impacts and Cancellations
In direct response to the severe weather forecast, local school boards have announced widespread cancellations for Monday. All school bus services in the warned regions are cancelled for January 19, 2026. Parents and guardians are advised to check with their specific school boards for updates on potential school closures or altered schedules. The conditions are expected to make rural and highway travel particularly treacherous.
Environment Canada advises residents in the warning areas to avoid non-essential travel. If travel is necessary, drivers are urged to be prepared for sudden changes in road conditions, significantly reduced visibility, and potential road closures. Keeping an emergency kit in vehicles is strongly recommended.
Broader Weather Context Across Canada
This blizzard warning for Ontario comes amid other significant weather events across the country. Other provinces are also grappling with winter challenges, including a snow squall watch for the Greater Montreal area and extreme cold impacting festivals like Edmonton's Deep Freeze. The situation underscores the active and severe winter weather pattern affecting much of Canada in late January 2026.
Residents in southwestern Ontario should continue to monitor alerts from Environment Canada and local authorities for updates on the blizzard warning and any further safety instructions.
