Toronto is engaged in a multi-day effort to recover from a record-breaking snowstorm that blanketed the city in over half a metre of snow. While cleanup operations are underway, officials and residents are assessing the scale of the challenge and comparing the current response to difficulties experienced during a similar event last year.
The storm, which peaked on January 25, deposited 61 centimetres of snow in downtown Toronto, with Pearson International Airport recording a single-day record of 46 centimetres – the most ever measured there. The broader Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was also heavily impacted, with widespread travel disruptions and over a million power outages reported south of the border in the United States as part of the same weather system.
As of , crews are shifting their focus from plowing to snow removal, concentrating on high-priority areas such as hospitals and transit stops. Mayor Olivia Chow stated on , that the current snow-clearing operations are progressing more effectively than during last year’s snow removal “fiasco,” which left many sidewalks impassable and residential roads uncleared for days.
The city is utilizing five snow storage sites, including a major operation in North York where snow is being hauled by dump trucks and melted using specialized machinery. Approximately 1,500 city staff and private contractors are involved in the effort, working to clear 14,700 lane-kilometres of roads, 7,900 km of sidewalks, and 486 lane-km of cycle lanes and trails. The city has also increased its snow storage capacity by adding dumping sites and more snow melters.
Despite the increased capacity and focused efforts, challenges remain. Residents report that some roadways and sidewalks are only partially cleared, with narrow trenches cut through packed snow making passage difficult for those without appropriate footwear or mobility aids. Piles of snow as high as two metres are still obstructing streets in some neighbourhoods.
The process of snow removal is complicated by the nature of the material itself. Exhaust soot and street grit accumulate within the snowbanks, creating a “heavy, bulky and polluted commodity” that requires careful handling. Salt used for de-icing further contaminates the snow, posing potential environmental risks to plants, animals, and water sources. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has noted increasing chloride levels in groundwater and streams due to increased salt usage.
The city’s approach to snow storage has evolved over time. Previous sites located near the Don River have been closed, and current locations, such as the Downsview yard, are chosen for their elevation and distance from major watercourses. The locations of the other four storage sites are not publicly disclosed for security reasons and to prevent illegal dumping.
While Mayor Chow has expressed confidence in the current response, some residents and political figures, including mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford, have voiced concerns about the city’s preparedness and the pace of cleanup. However, Shoshanna Saxe, an associate professor in the University of Toronto’s department of civil & mineral engineering, suggests that Toronto’s current strategy reflects a deliberate choice to balance resource allocation with the infrequent occurrence of such extreme snowfall events. She noted that maintaining a fully scaled-up snow-clearing operation year-round would entail significant costs, given that Toronto does not typically experience snowfall of this magnitude.
The cleanup is expected to take “several days,” according to city officials. The operation is further complicated by ongoing weather conditions, including bursts of snow, strong winds, and lake-effect snow squalls impacting southern Ontario. Blowing snow and reduced visibility continue to pose hazards, particularly in rural areas with high snowbanks.
