Honestly, if you looked out your window this morning in Toronto, you probably didn't need a meteorologist to tell you that winter has finally stopped playing around. We’ve had a weirdly back-and-forth season so far, but as of Thursday, January 15, 2026, the "January Thaw" is officially a memory.
The city is currently getting slammed. While the official Toronto 7 day forecast shows some variation, the immediate reality is a heavy snow storm that has basically brought the GTA to a standstill. I’m looking at the latest data, and it's not just "flurries." We are talking about a major system.
The Current Deep Freeze and Snow Totals
Right now, the temperature is sitting at a biting 11°F, but it feels like -4°F thanks to those northwest winds cutting through the downtown corridors at 12 mph. If you’re heading out, the humidity is high at 81%, making that cold feel "wet" and heavy.
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Today, Thursday, is the peak of the chaos. We have a 65% chance of snow during the day, with a high of only 12°F. Environment Canada has been flashing those orange alerts for a reason. Parts of the GTA are seeing totals that could hit 35 centimetres by the time this wraps up. The wind is picking up too, gusting from the northwest at 16 mph, which means visibility is basically zero on the 401 and the Gardiner.
Looking Ahead: The 7-Day Breakdown
If you're trying to plan your week, here is how the next few days are actually shaping up. Don't expect a sudden spring.
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- Friday, Jan 16: Tomorrow looks a bit "warmer" if you can call it that. We’re aiming for a high of 32°F, which is right around freezing. There’s a 40% chance of snow both day and night. It’ll be cloudy, but the wind shifts to the south, which explains that slight temperature bump.
- Saturday, Jan 17: This might be your best window to actually clear the driveway. It’ll be 34°F with some snow showers in the morning, but the night should clear up.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The "deep freeze" returns. We drop back to a high of 26°F and a low of 20°F. More snow showers are expected as the wind swings back to the southwest.
- Monday, Jan 19: Things get windy. We’re looking at 24 mph gusts from the west. The high is only 20°F, and the low hits 11°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: A bit of a break in intensity, but still cold. 17°F for the high, with light snow and a low of 9°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: We end the 7-day stretch with more snow showers and a high of 27°F.
Why This Forecast is Different
A lot of people think Toronto weather is just "cold," but the 2026 season has been defined by these massive moisture spikes. Because the temperatures are so low today—around 12°F—the snow is less dense. As CP24’s Bill Coulter mentioned earlier today, when it’s this cold, you often get "double the snow" for the same amount of moisture because it’s so fluffy and doesn't pack down.
That’s why the snow totals look so intimidating right now. It's not the heavy, heart-attack slush; it's the stuff that blows around and hides the curb.
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Survival Tips for the Next Week
If you've lived here long enough, you know the drill, but this week is particularly nasty. First off, if you don't have to be on the roads today, don't. Most schools across the GTA are already closed for a reason.
If you must drive, check your washer fluid. The salt they’re dumping today will create that gross grey film on your windshield the second it hits 32°F on Friday. Also, check your tire pressure. These sudden drops—like going from the relatively mild start of the month to 7°F tonight—will make your "low pressure" light pop up almost instantly.
Actionable Insights for Torontonians
- Clear your vents: With the blowing snow expected through Monday, make sure your furnace and dryer vents aren't blocked by drifts.
- Layer for the wind chill: Don't trust the "High" temperature. Monday’s 20°F with 24 mph winds will feel significantly colder than Saturday’s 34°F.
- Plow timing: If you're in the city, the plows are prioritizing main arteries first. Expect side streets to be a mess until at least Saturday morning.
The reality of the Toronto 7 day forecast is that we are in the heart of winter now. The "thaw" is over, and the parkas are staying out for the foreseeable future. Keep an eye on the wind speeds especially, as that’s what will determine whether your Saturday errands are "doable" or "miserable."