A powerful and persistent winter storm is causing significant disruption across large parts of Ontario, with road closures and treacherous whiteout conditions creating hazards for motorists. The blustery weather, which continued into Tuesday, December 30, 2025, has prompted emergency alerts and travel advisories in several municipalities.
Emergency Alerts and Road Closures in Effect
Springwater Township, near Barrie, declared a "significant weather event" due to extremely hazardous road conditions. Officials issued an emergency alert strongly advising all residents and motorists to stay off roads immediately and avoid all non-essential travel. The township is located approximately 90 minutes northwest of Toronto.
Road closures extended beyond Springwater. Neighbouring Clearview Township and Wasaga Beach reported severe delays in emergency response and tow services due to near-zero visibility, deep snow, and dangerous blowing snow. Specific closures included:
- All Flos Roads from Phelpston to Elmvale.
- County Road 92 from Elmvale to Wasaga Beach.
- County Road 10 from Highway 26 to Angus.
- County Road 29 from County Road 22 to Concession 4 in Tiny.
Farther south, closures were reported in Wilmot Township near Kitchener on Highway 7/8 in both directions at Wilmot Easthope Road and County Road 1 in New Hamburg. Additional closures were in effect in Exeter, Kincardine, and Hanover as of Tuesday afternoon.
Widespread Weather Warnings and Forecast
Environment Canada had a yellow-level snow squall watch in effect for Toronto on Tuesday, with reduced visibility expected into the evening. Snow squall warnings were active throughout the province and were expected to continue into Wednesday, with a high of only -2°C forecast.
Forecasters warned of an additional 20 to 40 centimetres of snow through Wednesday afternoon, with some areas potentially seeing totals exceed 50 cm by Thursday morning. Flurries were expected to persist in the Greater Toronto Area into the evening and overnight, possibly continuing through Thursday.
"Transient lake effect snow squalls off Lake Huron may impact portions of the region through the day," Environment Canada stated. "While snowfall amounts are not expected to be significant, visibilities may be significantly reduced at times under these snow squalls."
On-the-Ground Impacts and Safety Warnings
The storm's effects were being felt on the roads and by emergency services. Durham Regional Police warned that roads in the Uxbridge area, specifically at Lakeridge Road and Scugog Line 12, were "extremely slippery" and asked motorists to avoid the area.
The Canadian Automobile Association reported a surge in calls for service. In Barrie, call volumes were at four times the usual amount for an average winter day, according to CAA spokesperson Nadia Matos. Approximately half of the calls were for tow service, with the other half for battery or light service.
Road closures were also reported in parts of northern Ontario near Kirkland Lake and Timmins. Some reprieve from the snowfall is expected later in the week, with cloudy conditions forecast for Friday and into the weekend.
