Updated: December 10, 2025 • Toronto & GTA, Ontario
Toronto woke up to a messy mix of snow, slush and traffic headaches on Wednesday as a fast-moving winter system turned the morning commute into a slow crawl. Drivers across the GTA reported spin-outs and fender-benders, school boards cancelled buses in several regions, and flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport were delayed as crews worked to clear snow from runways.
The storm, driven by an Alberta clipper sweeping across southern Ontario, is bringing several centimetres of fresh snow through the day, with localized heavier bands and pockets of freezing drizzle. Forecasters warn that rapidly changing conditions could make roads treacherous at short notice, especially on untreated side streets and major routes like Highway 401, the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway.
LIVE Storm Snapshot: What Toronto Woke Up To This Morning
- Snow on the ground: Several centimetres of snow already reported at Toronto Pearson, with more falling through the morning.
- Flights delayed: Departures and arrivals at Pearson facing delays as de-icing operations slow traffic on taxiways and runways.
- School buses cancelled: Multiple boards across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) have cancelled buses due to poor road conditions.
- Messy commute: Reports of collisions, slow-moving traffic and reduced visibility on major highways and arterial roads.
- Weather alerts: Snowfall warnings and special weather statements in place for parts of southern Ontario, including the GTA.
Environment Canada is urging drivers to adjust their speed and leave extra space between vehicles as bands of heavier snow continue to push through the region.
Pearson Airport: De-Icing, Delays and Cautious Travellers
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, the snow is translating into longer-than-usual waits. Ground crews are juggling de-icing, snow-clearing and aircraft movement, slowing the morning rush just as business and holiday travellers try to get out of town.
Airport officials are advising passengers to arrive early, build in extra time for security and check their flight status before leaving home. Even when skies appear brighter over downtown Toronto, conditions can still be poor in Mississauga, where the airport is located, leading to delays on specific routes.
For the latest information, passengers are being directed to the official Toronto Pearson flight status page and updates shared on the airport’s X (Twitter) account .
School Bus Cancellations Across the GTHA
While most schools remain open, several school boards across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area have cancelled bus services, citing poor visibility and slick rural roads. For many families in York, Durham, Peel and Halton regions, that has meant last-minute decisions about whether to drive children to school or keep them at home.
CityNews is tracking the latest list of boards that have suspended transportation for the day, including key rural and exurban routes where drifting snow and blowing winds have made conditions unpredictable. Parents are being urged to confirm the status of buses directly with their local board before sending children out the door.
You can see a live, board-by-board breakdown of cancellations on CityNews’ GTHA school bus cancellation page , and a wider southern Ontario snapshot via Instant Weather’s interactive map .
Highways, Side Streets and TTC: How the Commute Turned Dangerous
On the roads, the picture has been just as difficult. Drivers reported slow-moving lines of traffic on Highway 401, the 404 and the QEW from the early hours, with plows struggling to stay ahead of the accumulating snow. In parts of Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke, side streets quickly turned into rutted tracks of slush and ice, making even short trips to school or work tense and unpredictable.
Toronto police, OPP and local forces across the GTA have responded to multiple minor collisions and vehicles sliding into ditches. The message from officers has been consistent: if you can work from home, do it. If you have to drive, slow down, clear all the snow from your car, and leave plenty of space.
Public transit hasn’t escaped the disruption. TTC buses are navigating reduced visibility and slick hills, while streetcars are dealing with icy overhead lines and snow-packed tracks on key routes like King, Queen and St. Clair. GO Transit has warned of possible delays on some rail and bus corridors as conditions worsen outside the downtown core.
How Much Snow Will Toronto Get Today?
The Weather Network and Environment Canada both expect the system to continue pushing snow across southern Ontario through the day, with total accumulations in the Toronto area in the range of 5 to 15 centimetres, and locally higher amounts under heavier bands.
Before the busiest part of the morning commute, several centimetres had already fallen at Toronto Pearson, with more snow reported in Hamilton and communities west of the city as the clipper tracked across the Great Lakes. Some neighbourhoods could see quick bursts that dramatically cut visibility, followed by lighter flurries and drizzle as temperatures hover around the freezing mark.
For the most detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown, residents can check The Weather Network’s Ontario storm forecast and the latest alerts on Environment Canada’s weather warnings page .
Hour-by-Hour: When Will Conditions Improve?
While exact timing will vary across the GTA, forecasters expect:
- Morning: Periods of moderate to heavy snow, slick roads and reduced visibility during the main commute window.
- Midday: Snow easing at times to lighter flurries or a rain-snow mix, but slush and standing water on roads will keep travel slow.
- Afternoon school run: Another round of flurries is possible as temperatures dip, refreezing any melt on untreated sidewalks and side streets.
- Evening: Lingering light snow or flurries, with improving visibility but icy patches likely as winds pick up and temperatures drop.
In short: conditions should gradually improve, but the risk of black ice and slippery intersections could actually increase later in the day as melted snow refreezes.
What Parents and Commuters Need to Know
For parents, the biggest headache is the combination of open schools and cancelled buses. Many boards are reminding families that when buses are cancelled in the morning, they are cancelled for the entire day, even if conditions improve later. That means anyone who drives children to school in the morning must be prepared to pick them up in the afternoon.
Commuters are being encouraged to switch to remote work where possible, stagger departure times, or use transit if they are uncomfortable driving in winter conditions. Employers across downtown Toronto and key job hubs in Mississauga, Vaughan and Markham have been reactivating their bad-weather policies, allowing staff to shift meetings online.
Safety First: Winter Driving and Walking Tips for the GTA
- Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights and the roof of your vehicle before driving.
- Leave at least twice the normal following distance between your car and the one ahead.
- Avoid sudden braking or hard acceleration; gentle inputs help maintain traction on snow and slush.
- Watch for snowbanks blocking sightlines at intersections and driveways, especially in Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke.
- On foot, wear boots with good grip and take shorter steps to avoid slipping on hidden ice.
Officials stress that most weather-related crashes on days like this are preventable. Slowing down and making conservative choices can make the difference between a scary moment and a safe arrival.
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