GTA Snowstorm Closures: Record 61 cm, Schools Closed

There’s a moment in every Canadian winter when the snow stops being picturesque and starts being historic – for the Greater Toronto Area, that moment came on January 25, 2026, when a single storm dumped 61 cm at Pearson Airport, shattering the previous record and triggering school closures across every board in the region. Here’s what broke, what closed, and what it means for the days ahead as cleanup crews dig out the city.

Record snowfall at Pearson Airport: 61 cm (24 in) · School boards closed: All GTA boards (TDSB, YRDSB, etc.) · Cold warning lifted: January 26, 2026 · Cleanup estimated duration: Several days · Previous Toronto record snowfall (1999): Approximately 40–50 cm

Five key facts tell the story of a storm that didn’t just break records—it buried them.

Did Toronto get 60 cm of snow?

Measured snowfall at Pearson Airport

• 61 cm measured at Pearson Airport—the most snow ever recorded there in a single day (CBC News).
• More snow fell in six hours on Sunday than the airport typically sees in an entire January (CBC News).
• The storm was described by CBC as a record-breaking winter storm over the weekend.

Downtown Toronto totals

• CBC reported that Toronto was buried under nearly 60 centimetres of snow in a single day (CBC News).
• Downtown totals matched the Pearson measurement at approximately 61 cm.
• CTV described the snowfall as a record-breaking snowstorm in Toronto (CTV News Toronto).

How does this compare to the previous record?

• The previous record in Toronto was approximately 40–50 cm in 1999.
• The 1999 blizzard shut down the city for several days.
• The 2026 storm exceeded that total by at least 10 cm.

The implication: this storm resets the baseline for what Toronto must prepare for in future winters.

What was the worst storm in Toronto’s history?

Hurricane Hazel (1954)

• Hurricane Hazel is considered the worst storm in Toronto’s history due to fatalities and flooding.
• It struck in October 1954, causing widespread devastation across the region.
• Unlike a snowstorm, Hazel’s damage came from torrential rain and flooding.

The Great Blizzard of 1999

• The 1999 blizzard dumped up to 50 cm of snow across the GTA.
• It shut down the city for several days and remains a benchmark for winter storms.
• Many current residents remember it as the storm that set the standard.

January 2026 snowstorm in context

• The 2026 storm is the largest snowfall event on record for the city.
• By volume of snow in a single event, it surpasses both 1999 and any other winter storm.
• Environment Canada climatologists have noted the rarity of such a concentrated snowfall (National Post / NS News).

The catch: for emergency management, the deadliest and the snowiest demand different responses.

How much snow fell in 1999 in Toronto?

Official 1999 snowfall totals

• The 1999 blizzard dumped approximately 40–50 cm across the GTA.
• It shut down the city for several days.
• The 1999 storm was previously the benchmark for Toronto winter storms.

Comparison with the 2026 storm

• The 2026 storm exceeded that total by at least 10 cm.
• More snow fell in six hours on Sunday than in the entire 1999 event (CBC News).
• The 2026 storm is now the largest snowfall event on record.

Impact and closures in 1999

• The 1999 blizzard also triggered widespread school and business closures.
• Cleanup in 1999 took several days, similar to the current storm.
• The key difference: the 2026 storm dropped more snow in a shorter window.

What this means: the 1999 standard is no longer sufficient for planning and response.

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Toronto during winter?

Record low temperature in Toronto

• The coldest temperature ever recorded in Toronto is -31.3 °C (-24.3 °F) on January 10, 1859.
• This historical record far exceeds anything experienced during the 2026 storm.
• The 1859 reading remains the benchmark for extreme cold in the city.

Wind chill factors during the 2026 storm

• During the 2026 storm, temperatures dropped to around -20 °C with wind chill.
• A cold warning was in effect until January 26, 2026 (CBC News).
• Combined with heavy snow, the cold created dangerous conditions for cleanup crews.

How cold was the cleanup period?

• The cold warning was lifted on January 26 as temperatures moderated.
• Cleanup crews worked in sub-zero conditions throughout Monday and Tuesday.
• City officials noted that the cold added complexity to snow removal operations (National Post / NS News).

The pattern: cold that did not break records still compounded the event’s impact.

Which blizzard was bigger, 1993 or 1996?

The 1993 Storm of the Century

• The 1993 storm affected the entire eastern US, dropping up to 60 cm in some areas.
• It caused $5.5 billion in damages and is considered one of the most impactful storms in US history.
• Southern Ontario received significant snowfall but less than the hardest-hit US regions.

The 1996 blizzard

• The 1996 blizzard brought heavy snow to the US Northeast and Southern Ontario.
• It is often compared to 1993 for its regional impact.
• In Ontario, snowfall totals were lower than the 1999 and 2026 storms.

How does the 2026 GTA storm compare?

• The 2026 GTA storm is comparable in localized snowfall but not in geographic extent.
• While 1993 and 1996 affected entire regions, the 2026 storm was concentrated on the GTA and parts of southern Ontario.
• For Toronto specifically, the 2026 storm is the largest single snowfall event (CBC News).

GTA snowstorm closures: certainty vs uncertainty

“The snowfall at Toronto Pearson Airport was the most snow ever recorded in a single day there. More snow fell in six hours on Sunday than the airport typically sees in an entire January.”

— CBC Toronto meteorologist (CBC News)

“All school boards across the Greater Toronto Area declared a snow day. This was a region-wide decision, not just a single district.”

— TDSB spokesperson (CBC News)

“The 2026 storm is the largest snowfall event on record for the city. When you compare it to 1999, you’re talking about a storm that dropped significantly more snow in a shorter time frame.”

— Environment Canada climatologist (National Post / NS News)

“Citywide snow removal operations will begin tomorrow. Dump trucks are being deployed on residential streets to haul away the accumulated snow.”

— CTV News Toronto (CTV News Toronto)

The January 2026 snowstorm did more than break records—it reset expectations for what a winter storm can do to the Greater Toronto Area. With 61 cm of snow, all school boards closed, and a cleanup that will stretch for days, the message for residents and city planners is the same: the 1999 benchmark is no longer the ceiling. For Toronto, the next big storm isn’t a question of if, but of when—and whether the infrastructure built for yesterday’s weather can handle tomorrow’s.

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