Toronto begins clearing after heaviest snowfall in city history

Toronto is beginning to dig out from the largest snowfall in the city’s history, a process officials say is likely to take "several days". Some parts of the city were buried under nearly 60cm (about 23in) of snow and more than 500 flights were cancelled on Sunday after Toronto’s main airport was snowed in.

More than 88.2cm of snow have fallen at Pearson International Airport this month, marking the snowiest January and snowiest month since records began in 1937. The storm swept across much of North America and prompted several school boards to announce closures on Sunday evening, delivering a second snow day this month for some students.

The snow caused more than 430 collisions in Toronto and another 200 in surrounding areas, including one fatality. Police warned that roadside banks of snow created by plows could cause cars to enter a "launch-type angle" and fly off highways. Toronto’s transit system suffered multiple delays and closures.

A streetcar derailed and subways could not traverse sections of track that are above ground and received heavy snowfall. City staff said they would prioritise main roadways and that it would be days before residential streets and sidewalks were cleared; in addition to plows, workers were using shovels.

Key Topics

World, Toronto, Pearson Airport, Lake Ontario, Flight Cancellations, Streetcar Derailment