On the morning of January 26, 2026, Environment Canada issued a Yellow Snow Squall Warning for Sarnia and western Lambton County, Ontario. The warning was issued at about 5:00 a.m. as intense lake-effect bands coming off Lake Huron moved through the area, significantly reducing visibility and creating dangerous conditions for the Monday morning commute.
Forecasters warned that localized snowfall rates could reach 5 to 10 centimetres per hour in the most persistent bands, with total accumulations up to about 15 centimetres. These squalls can create a “wall of snow,” dropping visibility to near zero within seconds and leaving roads suddenly impassable with little notice.
The Sarnia Police Service and municipal officials have advised residents to avoid non-essential travel, particularly along Highway 402 where whiteout conditions can be most severe. That stretch of highway has a history of dangerous winter travel — a December 2010 storm, locally dubbed “Snowmageddon,” stranded hundreds of motorists on Highway 402 and surrounding roads and required military-assisted rescues.
According to the City of Sarnia, crews are out responding to the storm and are prioritizing arterial routes and bus routes first in line with the city’s snow removal policy. Drivers who must travel are urged to check Ontario 511 for the latest highway updates and to sign up for Sarnia-Lambton Alerts for local notices; the city also asks motorists to keep vehicles off the street during winter events so plows can operate more efficiently.
