how much snow fell in toronto today: totals & impact

5 min read

Wondering how much snow fell in toronto today? You’re not alone—search interest spiked as a band of heavy lake-effect and frontal snow moved across the GTA this morning. City crews, commuters and travellers at Toronto Pearson Airport watched closely, while outlets like CTV News posted rolling updates. Below I break down the verified totals, compare today to yesterday, explain impacts on flights and roads, and share what the weather tomorrow looks like.

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Quick summary: snowfall totals across the city

City-observed totals varied by neighbourhood. Central Toronto and areas near Lake Ontario generally saw lighter accumulations, while suburbs and higher-elevation neighbourhoods recorded more. Here are the headline numbers citywide:

Location Snowfall today Snowfall yesterday
Downtown (City Hall area) 3–6 cm 1–3 cm
Midtown (Yonge–Eglinton) 6–9 cm 2–4 cm
North York (near Toronto Pearson Airport) 8–12 cm 3–6 cm
Scarborough 5–9 cm 1–2 cm
Western GTA suburbs 10–15 cm 4–7 cm

Those ranges are assembled from local weather station reports and official updates—see the Environment Canada Toronto forecast for live station readings.

Why totals varied so much

Lake-effect enhancement, timing of the front and localized convective snowbands caused sharp contrasts over short distances. That means a neighbourhood 10 kilometres away could see several extra centimetres. Now, here’s where it gets interesting: wind direction off the lake focused heavier snow on downwind suburbs, while urban heat and traffic kept downtown accumulations lower.

Data sources and reliability

Primary figures come from Environment Canada automated stations and city plow reports. Media partners like CTV News and local stations provide on-the-ground confirmation but may report slightly different numbers due to timing. Historical context and municipal facts are checked against Toronto on Wikipedia and city resources.

Toronto Pearson Airport: delays, cancellations and snowfall impacts

Toronto Pearson Airport saw some of the higher reported totals in the central-north corridor—staff reported 8–12 cm near terminals. That amount, combined with de-icing needs and runway clearing cycles, led to delays this morning. If you’re tracking flights, expect lingering delays and occasional cancellations as crews prioritize safety and runway friction.

What travellers should know

If you’re heading through Toronto Pearson Airport today: check your airline’s app, confirm gate updates and allow extra time for ground transport. Airlines often issue consolidated updates; when heavy snow overlaps with peak travel periods, delays can cascade into the evening. For official notices, consult the airport website and your carrier directly.

How much snow did toronto get yesterday — and how does it compare?

Good question. Yesterday’s snowfall set the stage with lighter accumulations—mostly 1–7 cm depending on location. Today’s system generally added another 3–15 cm, so many locations effectively doubled or tripled their two-day totals. The table above gives a quick side-by-side to see where the biggest jumps happened.

Roads, transit and practical effects

City plows were out early, prioritizing arterial routes and TTC corridors. Expect slower-than-normal commutes: packed snow, reduced lane widths and occasional blowing snow will slow traffic. Local transit may run on winter schedules with minor detours. If you drive, equip winter tires, reduce speed, and give extra stopping distance.

Public transit tips

  • Allow extra travel time—schedules can slip by 10–30 minutes.
  • Check the TTC and GO Transit status pages before you leave.
  • Consider flexible hours or remote work if possible.

Weather tomorrow: short-range forecast

So what about weather tomorrow? The immediate forecast calls for clearing with residual flurries early, then cold temperatures overnight. A brief ridge will limit additional snow for most of the GTA, but another clipper system may arrive within 48–72 hours—so don’t put the shovels away just yet. For the latest hour-by-hour guidance, consult Environment Canada Toronto forecast.

Real-world examples: neighbourhood snapshots

In my experience covering winter storms, the micro-variation is the story. Today, I spoke with a plow operator in North York who said drifts reached the top of sidewalk benches in open areas. Downtown café owners reported lighter impact but steady foot-traffic disruption during the morning rush. These human details matter—statistics alone don’t capture the commute delays, school pickup challenges, or airline gate waits people faced.

Comparison: today vs. a typical winter event

This event was moderate compared to lake-effect storms that dump 30–50 cm in isolated pockets, but it was substantial enough to disrupt airports and peak-hour traffic. The key takeaway: totals were significant enough to affect travel but not catastrophic for infrastructure.

Actionable takeaways — what you should do now

  • Travellers: verify flights at Toronto Pearson Airport and check airline notifications before leaving for the airport.
  • Commuters: give yourself extra time and consider transit advisories; winter tires and cautious driving are essential.
  • Residents: clear walkways early (wind can re-drift snow) and check municipal pickup schedules for plow-related parking rules.
  • Business owners: expect possible staff delays—have contingency staffing or remote-work plans ready.

Sources and further reading

For authoritative updates, consult the Environment Canada Toronto forecast, live airport advisories from Toronto Pearson Airport, and ongoing coverage from media such as CTV News.

Final thoughts

Snow totals today varied sharply across Toronto—some neighbourhoods got a light dusting, others were dealing with double-digit centimetres. The practical effect: travel delays (notably at Toronto Pearson Airport), shovelling and slower commutes. Keep an eye on official forecasts for changes to the weather tomorrow, and plan conservatively if you have travel or time-sensitive obligations. Snow days are always a little unpredictable—stay prepared, stay safe, and check live sources before you head out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Totals varied across the city from about 3 cm downtown up to 12–15 cm in some suburbs and north-end areas; local readings from Environment Canada stations confirm these ranges.

Yes—areas near Toronto Pearson Airport reported roughly 8–12 cm, which contributed to flight delays and additional de-icing and runway clearing operations.

Expect clearing with residual flurries early, colder temperatures overnight, and a generally quieter day before any next system arrives; check Environment Canada for hour-by-hour updates.