Heavy Snowfall Disrupts School Operations Across Greater Toronto Area
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, a significant snowstorm has led to widespread school closures throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The inclement weather has compelled several school boards to suspend classes for the day. Here’s an overview of the situation:
- Toronto District School Board (TDSB): All schools are closed.
- Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB): Classes are canceled.
- Peel District School Board (PDSB): Schools will not be open today.
- Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board: All educational facilities are closed.
- York District School Board: No classes are being held.
- York Catholic District School Board: All schools are closed for the day.
- Durham District School Board: Schools remain open, but all bus services across zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been canceled.
- Durham Catholic District School Board: Schools are operational, yet bus services are not running.
- Halton District School Board: All institutions are closed.
- Halton Catholic District School Board: Schools are not open.
- Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board: Classes are canceled.
- District School Board of Niagara: All schools are closed.
- Niagara Catholic District School Board: No classes will be held today.
- Simcoe County District School Board: Schools are open, but bus services are canceled.
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board: Classes are ongoing, though transportation services are unavailable.
- York University: All campuses are closed.
- University of Toronto: All campuses are shut down.
- Toronto Metropolitan University: The campus is closed today.
A Major Winter Storm Hits Southern Ontario
Residents in southern Ontario woke up to a thick blanket of snow on Thursday morning, a result of a winter storm that swept through the region late Wednesday. According to Environment Canada, a yellow snowfall warning was first issued, expecting between 20 to 30 centimeters of snow to accumulate in the Toronto area from Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon, with conditions improving later in the day.
However, this initial warning was upgraded to an orange alert, indicating more severe weather conditions. This alert now covers Toronto and its neighboring areas, including Durham, Peel, and parts of southern York, extending to Guelph, Kitchener, and Niagara.
The snowfall warning encompasses a wide area, stretching from London to Toronto, northward to Barrie and Orillia, and eastward towards Peterborough, Kingston, and Ottawa. Some regions like Sarnia could see as much as 40 centimeters due to localized snow squalls.
The weather agency advised that heavy snowfall could lead to reduced visibility and challenging travel conditions due to local blowing snow. A low-pressure system continues to bring substantial snowfall to much of southern Ontario. Furthermore, extreme wind chills have made conditions even more treacherous, with Toronto recording a temperature of -22 degrees Celsius when factoring in wind chill early Thursday morning.
Due to these severe weather forecasts, all TDSB schools, including child care centers, are closed today, emphasizing the importance of safety in light of the adverse conditions. Similarly, the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced that all schools are closed, affecting student transportation and after-school programs as well.
The school board updates reflect a coordinated response to ensure the safety of students and staff amid the harsh winter weather. As you navigate this snowy day, consider how such weather impacts our daily lives and operations—what measures do you think schools should take during extreme weather events? Share your thoughts in the comments!
