Toronto digs out after record snowfall paralyzes transport and grounds flights
Toronto is recovering from what it says is the largest snowfall in the city’s history. The storm disrupted public transit and air travel, caused hundreds of collisions, and left crews facing days of cleanup as snowbanks and blocked sidewalks complicate mobility.
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Record snow, record disruption
Toronto is beginning a slow recovery after a major storm dumped extraordinary snowfall across the city and surrounding region. Local reporting describes nearly 60 centimeters (about 23 inches) accumulating in parts of the city, creating hazardous driving conditions, significant transit delays, and widespread air-travel disruption.
The impact was felt across daily life: blocked sidewalks, narrowed roadways, and towering snowbanks made it difficult for pedestrians and drivers alike to move through neighborhoods. Emergency services responded to a surge in traffic incidents, and city authorities warned that plowed snow piled along intersections can reduce visibility and increase crash risks even after the snowfall stops.
Airports and transit strain under the load
Air travel took a direct hit, with hundreds of flights reportedly grounded. Public transit also struggled, with delays and service problems compounded by snow-packed tracks and routes and by vehicles getting stuck or slowed as plows worked. As is common after large storms, transit challenges can persist beyond the snowfall itself because clearing stops, stations, and bus routes often takes longer than clearing primary roads.
Cleanup will take days, not hours
City crews are prioritizing major arteries to restore essential movement first, then shifting to residential streets and sidewalks. Officials cautioned that comprehensive clearing typically takes multiple days after a storm of this size, particularly when temperatures remain cold enough to prevent melt and when repeated plowing continues to build dense snowbanks.
While the storm created serious hazards, it also produced moments of community relief: as traffic thinned and streets quieted, some residents used the conditions for sledding and skiing in areas normally dominated by vehicles. Even so, authorities emphasized that the safest approach is to avoid unnecessary driving until conditions stabilize and to keep clear of plows and heavy equipment during cleanup operations.