A significant winter storm swept through Southern Ontario overnight, leading to a cascade of closures across the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The heavy snowfall, described as a massive overnight dumping, has disrupted daily life for thousands of students, commuters, and residents.
Widespread School and Transportation Cancellations
Environment Canada's forecast proved accurate, with the GTA, Kitchener, and Hamilton regions receiving up to 30 centimetres of snow that continued into Thursday afternoon. In response, nearly all major school boards in the area announced closures starting early in the morning.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) were among the first to act, closing all schools and child-care centres by 6 a.m. The Toronto Student Transportation Group confirmed all school bus services for these boards were cancelled.
The closures extended across the region:
- Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board shut schools and administrative offices, cancelling buses.
- York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board also closed. The YCDSB explicitly warned parents, "Please do not bring your child to school because there will be no staff on site to care for them." School buses in York Region were cancelled.
Durham Region was a notable exception, with both public and Catholic school boards announcing schools would remain open, though all school buses were cancelled due to poor road conditions.
Post-Secondary Institutions and Public Services Affected
The disruption reached higher education and public services. Major universities and colleges announced campus closures, including:
- University of Toronto
- York University
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Humber College
- Sheridan College
- McMaster University (cancelling in-person and remote classes)
- Brock University
- OCAD University
George Brown College also closed its campuses. Seneca Polytechnic took a hybrid approach, keeping campuses open but moving all in-person day classes online.
Public libraries adjusted their schedules, with the Toronto Public Library delaying branch openings until noon and the Richmond Hill Public Library planning to open at 1 p.m. In a notable closure, the Toronto Zoo shut its doors for the day, citing safety concerns for staff, volunteers, animals, and guests, with plans to reopen on Friday.
Safety First as Storm Continues
The coordinated response highlights the severe impact of the January 2026 snowstorm. With road conditions hazardous and snowfall continuing, authorities prioritized safety, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The widespread closures of educational institutions from elementary schools to major universities underscore the storm's significant disruption to daily life in Canada's most populous region.
Residents are advised to continue monitoring updates from local school boards, transit authorities, and Environment Canada as the winter weather system moves through Southern Ontario.
