A major winter storm descended upon Toronto early Monday, January 5, 2026, creating a challenging and hazardous morning commute for residents across the Greater Toronto Area. A snowfall warning remained in effect, prompting widespread travel disruptions and slower-than-usual traffic on major roadways.
Live Updates on Road Conditions and Transit
CP24's Courtney Heels spoke with Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt for the latest on the weather's impact. Authorities urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, leave extra time for travel, and consider postponing non-essential trips. The heavy, accumulating snow reduced visibility and made roads slippery, leading to numerous collisions and delays.
Public transit systems, including the TTC, also experienced slowdowns and service adjustments due to the conditions. The messy commute served as a stark reminder that winter had firmly taken hold in Southern Ontario.
Broader Weather Impact Across the Province
The disruptive weather was not confined to Toronto. Other regions, including Barrie and Simcoe County, were bracing for up to 10 centimetres of additional snow expected later on Monday. In the north, communities like Timmins were still recovering from a previous winter storm, leading to cancelled school buses.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated opening of the entire Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa was still scheduled for Monday, offering a silver lining for winter recreation enthusiasts in the nation's capital.
A Snapshot of Other National Headlines
Beyond the weather, several other significant stories were developing across Canada on Monday morning:
In business and policy, new pay transparency laws officially came into effect in Ontario, potentially changing hiring processes. Internationally, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was travelling to Paris for meetings regarding Ukraine.
In health news, Alberta reported updated flu data, adding 15 deaths to bring the seasonal total to 73. A doctor also commented on the generic production of Ozempic, calling it an "exciting time for Canada."
On the sports front, Canada's world junior hockey team fell to Czechia in the medal round for a third consecutive year. In soccer, the Vancouver Whitecaps transferred Canadian midfielder Ali Ahmed to England's Norwich City.
Residents are advised to continue monitoring local weather alerts and traffic reports throughout the day as the winter system moves through the region.
