A late-season winter storm brought a mix of snow and freezing rain to Cornwall, Ontario, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, causing slippery road conditions across the region. The storm moved through the community from the morning into the afternoon, leading to icy surfaces and reduced visibility for residents on the road.
According to Environment Canada, the area was placed under a special weather statement as a low-pressure system brought between 5 to 10 centimetres of snow. As the system progressed, the snow mixed with freezing rain and freezing drizzle, making untreated roads, sidewalks, and parking lots treacherous.
The OPP East Region warned motorists to use caution, noting that similar winter storms earlier this year resulted in approximately 100 collisions. Most of those incidents involved vehicles sliding into ditches, though few injuries were reported during the previous events.
The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry confirmed that Cornwall and the surrounding areas have enough road salt to keep local streets safe. While some other municipalities in Ontario have had to limit their salt use recently, local stockpiles remain sufficient for the rest of the winter season.
The regional government typically uses between 24,000 and 30,000 tonnes of road salt every year to manage ice and snow. To ensure these supplies are available, the county awarded a $4.6 million contract to Cargill Inc. back in 2024.
By Monday, March 23, 2026, all weather alerts for the region had ended. Conditions improved with partly cloudy skies and temperatures expected to reach 2 degrees Celsius, providing some relief after the weekend storm.
