The cities of Kitchener and Cambridge have officially declared snow events as a significant winter storm sweeps across southwestern Ontario. The declarations, made on the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026, trigger specific municipal protocols for snow clearing and parking restrictions to help crews manage the accumulating snowfall.
Municipal Response and Public Advisories
With the snow event now in effect, residents in both cities must adhere to on-street parking bans to allow plows to clear roads effectively. Municipal officials are urging the public to avoid non-essential travel as conditions deteriorate rapidly. The declarations come as part of a coordinated regional response to a weather system that is forecast to bring substantial accumulation, with some areas potentially seeing up to 30 centimetres of snow.
The impact is being felt across the transportation network. In a related development, all school buses have been cancelled for the day in Ottawa and eastern Ontario due to the difficult weather. While this specific cancellation is for a different region, it underscores the widespread nature of the storm system affecting the province.
Broader Storm Impacts Across the Province
This winter event is causing disruptions beyond Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. The storm has triggered a wave of closures and cancellations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), affecting businesses, services, and events. Travel is becoming increasingly hazardous, with multiple collisions reported on major routes like Route 132 on Montreal's South Shore, attributed to the slick and low-visibility conditions.
Local emergency services are on high alert. In a separate incident highlighting the dangers of winter driving, firefighters in an unspecified location recently used a rope system to rescue a driver who became stranded in a snowy ditch. This serves as a stark reminder for motorists to exercise extreme caution.
Staying Safe During the Snow Event
Authorities are reiterating standard safety advice for severe winter weather. Residents are encouraged to:
- Check local road conditions before heading out.
- Allow extra time for travel and keep a safe distance from snow plows and salting trucks.
- Ensure vehicles are equipped with a winter safety kit, including a blanket, flashlight, and extra clothing.
- Comply with all local parking bans to prevent ticketing and to facilitate efficient snow removal.
The snow events in Kitchener and Cambridge will remain in effect until municipal crews have had sufficient time to clear primary and secondary roadways. Updates on the status of the snow event and parking restrictions can be found on the official city websites for Kitchener and Cambridge.
