Massive snowstorm shutting down basically everything in Toronto

Greater Toronto Area residents woke up to as much as 20 centimetres of snow on Thursday, kicking off a multi-day snow event that is already causing total chaos across the region.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has placed Toronto under an Orange Warning, and cautions that the city could be buried in 30 centimetres of snow by the time the storm subsides.

Businesses and institutions across the city and broader region have shut down on Thursday morning due to worsening conditions on roads and transit lines, and anyone heading out in the world might want to rethink their plans.

Widespread bus cancellations are almost certain this morning across *most* of Southern #Ontario

School closures are also very possible for areas that have seen substantial snowfall#OnWX #ONStorm https://t.co/s9TWNf2XQ2

— WxOntario (@WxOntario1) January 15, 2026

Ahead of the storm, the TTC announced that it was "taking proactive measures to ensure people can travel safely." However, that clearly didn't work out, as Thursday morning brought dozens of delays to the network and even the closure of an entire line.

Service on the newly-opened Line 6 Finch West was shut down on Thursday morning, with the entire line replaced with shuttle buses. The TTC cited "weather conditions" for the latest in a string of outages plaguing the December-opened light rail line.

As of 7:46 AM - Line 6 Finch West: No service between Finch West and Humber College stations due to weather conditions. Shuttle buses are running between Finch West and Humber College. https://t.co/6DLshNCFll

— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) January 15, 2026

Roads and highways are just as bad. The southbound Don Valley Parkway was shut down Thursday morning between Eglinton and the Gardiner Expressway after several minor crashes caused by black ice.

ROAD/HIGHWAY CLOSURE:
DVP S/B at Eglington Ave
8:10 am
-DVP southbound at Eglington Ave to the Fred Gardiner Expressway is closed
-due to several minor collisions, black ice and to assist City of Toronto snowplows with clearing the roads#GO104707
^lm

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) January 15, 2026

Outdoor attractions like the Toronto Zoo are shutting down amid the extreme conditions.

❄️ ZOO CLOSURE NOTICE ❄️

Due to ongoing winter weather conditions, your Toronto Zoo will be closed for the day.

Please take care and travel safely. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow once the site is safe and ready for our staff, volunteers, animals, and guests ☃️ pic.twitter.com/yPLzTL39RH

— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) January 15, 2026

School buses are all cancelled on Thursday as well due to dangerous conditions on the roads.

All school bus / student transportation services cancelled today here in Toronto due to the weather and on the ground road conditions. @tcdsb @tdsb

— TSTG (@TOSchoolBus) January 15, 2026

And even if they were operating, most schools will be closed on Thursday regardless of available transportation. The Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board have opted to call it a snow day and cancel classes.

All TDSB schools and sites, including child care centres, are closed today due to the weather forecast. https://t.co/BIatgBaquz

— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) January 15, 2026

Several post-secondary institutions have also shuttered their doors amid Thursday's weather, including Toronto Metropolitan University and Seneca Polytechnic.

Campus closure due to severe weather on January 15, 2026https://t.co/sqyR7uWNXi

— Toronto Metropolitan University (@TorontoMet) January 15, 2026

The Toronto Public Library system has announced that all of its branches will open at noon, giving staff more time to navigate the messy roads and deteriorating transit situation.

🌨️ Due to the snow, all library branches will open at 12 pm today.

Stay safe and warm! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/q5iTW9H188

— Toronto Public Library (@torontolibrary) January 15, 2026

Outside of Toronto, heavy snowfall is affecting food deliveries for vulnerable and disabled residents due to the temporary closure of Brampton Meals on Wheels.

⚠️ Brampton Meals on Wheels is CLOSED TODAY, Thursday, Feb. 13th, 2025.
There will be no delivery today.
Please use your SNOW DAY MEALS provided by the Heart Lake Rotary Club.
We will resume our regular hours tomorrow Feb. 14th. pic.twitter.com/RIXxGKviXj

— Brampton Meals on Wheels (@BramptonMeals) February 13, 2025

Additional snow is expected to add to Thursday's blanketing in the days to follow, meaning there could be even more disruption to transit, businesses, and educational institutions on the horizon.