TORONTO, January 25, 2026 — Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has upgraded its Yellow winter storm warning to Orange with an expected 20- 40cm of snowfall. On Friday, Canada’s most trusted weather source issued two yellow weather alerts: one for extreme cold on Friday night and the other for heavy snowfall of 15-30cm on Sunday. The latter has been upgraded to Orange on Sunday morning. with Peak snowfall rates of 5 to 8 cm per hour.
Expect significantly reduced visibility in blowing snow with winds gusting up to 50 km/h. In a nutshell, it is best to avoid non-essential travel on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Orange warning – winter storm areas affected
City of Toronto; Pickering – Oshawa – Southern Durham Region; Mississauga – Brampton; Halton Hills – Milton; Burlington – Oakville
Snow Storm
ECCC says the band of lake-enhanced snow off Lake Ontario will continue to affect the City of Toronto and the western Greater Toronto Area through Sunday afternoon. Snowfall rates will be considerably heavier in this band. Locations affected by lake enhancement will receive the highest snowfall amounts. Lake enhancement will continue to shift southward toward Oakville and Burlington later this afternoon or this evening as winds become northeasterly. Snow will taper to periods of light snow or flurries overnight. Roads and walkways will likely be very difficult to navigate. Travel will likely be hazardous. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times.
Details from ECCC
This “Lake effect snow” driven by easterly winds off Lake Ontario will develop early Sunday morning, producing localized heavy snowfall and reduced visibility.
By Sunday afternoon, snow is expected to become more widespread as a broader system moves into the area. As this occurs, lake enhancement is likely, leading to locally higher snowfall amounts in certain areas.
The exact placement and intensity of the heavier snowfall remains uncertain at this time.
24 Hr. Forecast
Sunday during the day
Snow, at times, heavy and local blowing snow. Amount 15 to 25 cm. Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50. High minus 8. Wind chill near minus 19.
Sunday evening
Snow at times heavy and local blowing snow ending late this evening, then mainly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries. Additional Amount 10 to 15 cm. Wind northeast 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 13. Wind chill near minus 22.
Monday during the day
A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of flurries. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High minus 8. Wind chill minus 22 in the morning and minus 15 in the afternoon. UV index 2 or low.
Safety concerns
Roads and walkways may be very difficult to navigate. Visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times. Travel delays and/or cancellations are possible. Allow extra time for travel. Prepare for possibly prolonged disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
feature photo by Stephen Uhraney
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