Much of US digging out from snow, sleet, ice from massive winter storm

A major winter storm impacted over a dozen US states on January 26, 2026, bringing frigid temperatures, snow, and sleet. The widespread weather event led to significant disruptions across the country. At least 19,000 flights were cancelled, causing widespread travel paralysis. The storm forced many areas to begin digging out from heavy accumulations of snow, sleet, and ice. The extensive cancellations and hazardous conditions severely hampered travel both within and out of the affected regions.

Toronto is digging out from a record-breaking snowfall in January, the largest since 1937, with over 88cm recorded at Pearson Airport. The storm, part of a larger system affecting North America, caused widespread disruption, including over 500 flight cancellations, school closures, and transit delays. More than 430 collisions occurred in Toronto, with another 200 in surrounding areas, including one fatality. City officials are prioritizing clearing main roadways, but expect it to take days to clear residential streets and sidewalks. While the storm caused significant challenges, some residents embraced the snow, skiing and sledding in the city. The location of Toronto along Lake Ontario contributed to the unexpectedly high snowfall totals.

A major winter storm brought near-record snowfall to Toronto on Sunday, with Toronto Pearson International Airport receiving approximately 18 inches (46 centimeters) by 10 p.m. Temperatures dropped as low as 9 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 13 Celsius), with wind chills reaching minus 9 Fahrenheit (minus 23 Celsius). The city declared a "major snowstorm condition," deploying over 600 snowplows. The storm caused significant disruptions, with approximately 65% of flights canceled at the airport from Saturday evening through Sunday. All Toronto Public Library branches were closed, and hundreds of Toronto schools will be closed on Monday, with exams rescheduled. The peak of the snowfall was expected to end around 11 p.m. Sunday.