Northeastern Ontario is facing a significant weather event as a major winter storm sweeps through the region on Monday, March 16, 2026. The storm, which began on Sunday, has already dumped significant amounts of snow, with more expected throughout the day. Environment Canada has issued orange-level winter storm warnings for a large area, stretching from east of Thunder Bay and Lake Superior to the Quebec border.
The hardest-hit areas, including Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Sudbury, are bracing for total snowfall accumulations of 40-50+ cm. Strong winds, gusting between 50-90+ km/h, are creating blizzard conditions and near-impossible travel, especially along the Trans-Canada Highway. Over 2,200 km of highways have been closed in the northeast, including a nearly 800-km stretch of Highway 11 between Longlac and North Bay. Highways 11, 17, 101, 129, 144, and 631 are particularly dangerous, with closures ongoing.
Environment Canada is urging residents to avoid all travel and outdoor activities. "Travel will likely be extremely hazardous and some routes will likely be impassable," the agency stated in its warning. "Prepare for prolonged, widespread disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities". Police in Sudbury have declared a significant weather event, asking residents to remain home until further notice as municipal crews work to manage the storm's impact.
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds raises the risk of power outages and roof collapses due to the weight of the snow. While the worst of the storm is expected to ease by Monday evening, lingering snowfall may continue into Tuesday morning. Residents are advised to stay informed about the latest forecasts and road conditions and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
