Toronto hit with 35cm of snow and suddenly nobody knows how to drive anymore
A snowstorm expected to bury the Greater Toronto Area in 35 centimetres of snow on Thursday has already unleashed mayhem on the roads.
With major cancellations already announced, including buses, subways, trains, flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and so much more, locals needing to get around the city face all sorts of obstacles.
Serious accidents were reported throughout Thursday morning, with videos of cars flipping over captured on social media. One serious crash westbound on Highway 401 was caught on camera.
#WATCH: Dangerous Driving Leads To Serious Crash On📍Hwy401 WB At McCowan Rd. pic.twitter.com/k0OPtO22Gt
— 401_da_sarpanch (@401_da_sarpanch) January 15, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were out in full force on Thursday morning, warning drivers against dangerous behaviour, including one transport truck that stopped in a live lane to clear its windshield wipers.
'This is extremely dangerous. If you need to stop, exit the highway or pull into a safe location off the roadway," their tweet reads.
A transport truck was observed stopped in a live lane to clear windshield wipers.
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 15, 2026
This is extremely dangerous. If you need to stop, exit the highway or pull into a safe location off the roadway. #RoadSafety #OnStorm ^tk pic.twitter.com/rfJ37gvO7Q
Personal injury lawyer Dave Shellnutt observed some reckless antics on the road and was quick to share online.
"Some people shouldn't be licensed," he wrote of a car in front of him spotted with snow piled high on its roof and rear window.
Some people shouldn't be licensed. pic.twitter.com/KDx9OA6Cxe
— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) January 15, 2026
Almost 14 cars were also spotted stuck on a Highway 427 onramp due to the snow.
Cars stuck in snow on the ramp to 427 North in Etobicoke. #ONStorm #Toronto pic.twitter.com/kLnXExgCe6
— Sachin Mandot (@SachinMandot) January 15, 2026
The OPP reported 200 collisions and 125 vehicles stuck in snowbanks or ditches across the region on Thursday morning.
Approximately 200 collisions and 125 vehicles stuck in snowbanks or the ditch in the #GTHA in the past 24 hours. Most of them in the #OnStorm
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 15, 2026
Stay home if you can. Wait for the weather to improve before heading out. ^ks pic.twitter.com/RGsLZUhTkj
One user on X pointed out that bike lanes on Yonge St. were plowed while the sidewalks were not.
Bike lanes get plowed quickly in early morning on Yonge Street in #Toronto. Sidewalks don't. pic.twitter.com/EO0xDJlnKt
— Barbara Captijn (@ONTConsmrRights) January 15, 2026
Heavy snow has also led people to find creative ways to get around town. Skiing seems to work for one person who shared a photo on Reddit of them "hitting the slopes."
Quintessential Torontonian
byu/alpennys intoronto
Meanwhile, others braved the conditions on foot. One Toronto resident was captured on video walking in almost waist-deep snow.
I saw this and legit scared that snow could get this bad!
— VeeMe (@Becoming_Omah) January 15, 2026
Has anyone experienced this before?#ONStorm pic.twitter.com/55mxh8Uarw
Toronto mayor Olivia Chow said that, as of Thursday morning, 1,300 staff and contractors were working to clear snow as it falls. "The City is also redeploying staff from other divisions so this number will grow," her online statement reads.
Snow plows and salters are on the road and sidewalks, continuously clearing snow as it falls.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) January 15, 2026
Blowing snow and continued snowfall means the City is plowing roads and sidewalks non-stop over the next few days. We will also be removing snow, not just plowing.
Right now, about… https://t.co/fxpbeL7zGs
The City is asking residents to avoid non-essential travel and to plan ahead accordingly.
Roy Harris/Shutterstock
