Both the morning and evening commutes are expected to be impacted by a significant winter storm that will bring a mix of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain to the GTA on Wednesday.
A winter storm warning, yellow alert, is in effect for Toronto and Environment Canada says parts of the region could see “multiple hours of freezing rain.”
Follow along for live updates of Wednesday’s winter storm:
Key details:
Parts of the GTA could see between five and 15 centimetres of snowfall on Wednesday School buses have been cancelled in areas around the GTA, including Toronto Areas northwest of Toronto will be most impacted by Wednesday’s storm, with some areas under an freezing rain warning, orange alert. Areas west of the City of Toronto could see more prolonged periods of freezing rainThe storm is taper off on Wednesday evening
Freezing rain warning across the GTA Freezing rain warning across the GTA, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. 8:20 a.m.- How City crews prepared for storm
The City of Toronto said crews have applied salt to hills, bridges, intersections, expressways, and major roads in anticipation of today’s winter storm.
Snow and ice pellets may cause slippery conditions.
Take care on roads and sidewalks, and give yourself extra time for your commute. Drivers should follow at a safe distance and brake, steer, and accelerate gently.
Last night, crews began salting expressways, arterial roads… pic.twitter.com/KgRaaUzVWV
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) February 18, 2026
Plows will be deployed when thresholds for accumulation are met, the City said.
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
7:30 a.m. – Weather transitioning in downtown core
Ice pellets have started to fall in the downtown core, CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said. The temperature is still above the freezing mark, but he noted it won’t stay that way for much longer.
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
6:40 a.m.- Conditions likely to ‘intensify’ throughout morning and afternoon
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said things are quiet across GTA highways this morning but conditions could change quickly.
“When you look at those radar pictures… those bands will be coming and going throughout the day and it will intensify likely throughout the morning and afternoon and conditions will change,” he told CP24 on Wednesday morning.
“So even though we are right around the freezing mark, that is maybe a little bit deceiving for people… (it) could be slippery, could be slick, with the winds and the temperature and the precipitation, and if it is freezing rain, that will make for some interesting conditions.”
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
6:10 a.m.- TTC crews work overnight to treat overhead wires, rails
Susan Nguyen, a spokesperson for the TTC, told CP24 on Wednesday that crews were out overnight preparing for today’s storm, treating overhead streetcar wires and subway and LRT rails.
“We are doing the heavy lifting now to ensure that your morning commute is as smooth as possible,” she said.
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
6 a.m.- School buses cancelled across GTA
School buses have been cancelled in areas across the GTA, including Toronto, due to Wednesday’s storm. A list of bus cancellations can be found here.
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
5:30 a.m.- Light precipitation expected early this morning
CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said “very light” precipitation is expected up until about 8:30 a.m.
“From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., we’ll get a more consistent mix of freezing rain and snow,” he said.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., snow and ice pellets are expected, Coulter added.
–Codi Wilson, Journalist, CP24.com
Freezing rain warning in the GTA Freezing rain warning across the GTA, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. 5 a.m.- GO Transit running on special schedule
Metrolinx says GO Transit will operate on a special schedule today due to the winter storm.
‘We always do our best to ensure that you get to your destination as close to your schedule as possible; however, we recommend allowing yourself extra time to get to where you are going,“ the provincial transit agency said on its website.
“Please remember to be careful on the train and bus platforms, in parking lots and structures, tunnels, and inside station buildings as they may become snow covered, icy and slippery.”