What to know
After a record-breaking snowfall dumped nearly 60 centimetres in parts of the Greater Toronto Area on Jan. 26, residents were forced to navigate snow that was almost two-feet-deep, as they attempted to get to work and clear their homes.
TikTok users documented and joked about the extreme conditions, sharing videos of people shovelling, struggling to walk through deep snow and poking fun at the situation across Toronto and surrounding areas.
The snowfall followed a polar vortex affecting southwestern Ontario, prompting widespread event closures and ongoing cleanup efforts across the region.
After a record-breaking snowfall, people in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are attempting to work through the snow, while also sharing how they feel about the almost two feet of fresh powder online.
Environment Canada released early snow accumulation estimates Monday morning. By then, Toronto’s City Centre saw the most snow, with around 56 centimetres, followed by Toronto Pearson Airport with 46 centimetres and Ontario’s Storm Prediction Centre in the Downsview community with 32 centimetres.
One Tiktok user said in her caption “Wish me luck on my trip to work.” Her video showed her housemate attempting to leave the house, with snow going up to her knees. After seeing how much snow engulfed her when she fell backwards into it, she told the person behind the camera “yeah, you’re cooked, buddy.”
Another video by a different user showed them treading through snow up to their hips with the words “Situation in Toronto right now.”
As some shovelled, Tiktok users made light of the situation with jokes.
One Tiktok user showed multiple people shovelling a driveway with the caption “Don’t worry Ridgeway we’re coming,” referring to the well-known Ridgeway Plaza in Mississauga.
Another person posted a video of someone trying to walk up some front steps, covered in snow that went up to their hips. The text on the video read “make sure to check on your Canadian friends today.”
The snow came following a polar vortex that hit southwestern Ontario and some parts of the United States. It caused a temperature drop of down to minus 40 C.
With the significant weather event, many events and city services were also closed or operating at reduced hours on Sunday and Monday.
The city and its residents worked to clean up the aftermath.