The City of St. Thomas, Ontario, declared a Significant Weather Event on the evening of January 25, 2026, following a severe winter storm that brought heavy snow and high winds to the region. This formal notice means that because of the extreme weather, city crews cannot meet their usual timelines for clearing snow from all roads and sidewalks.
Under the provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards, this declaration allows the city to focus its plows on main roads and emergency routes first. Residents should expect delays for snow removal on residential side streets and non-essential paths until the storm settles and priority areas are clear. The city’s Public Works department is scheduled to reassess road conditions at 4:00 p.m. on January 26, 2026, the city said.
Along with the road delays, Southwestern Public Health has issued a Cold Weather Alert for the area due to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Local officials are urging people to check on their elderly neighbours and are directing anyone needing a warm place to stay to designated warming centres, including The INN (formerly Inn Out of the Cold) at 10 Princess Avenue in St. Thomas. Health experts warn that, depending on wind chill, frostbite or hypothermia can develop within minutes in extreme cold.
The storm is also expected to impact local services like transit and garbage collection, and some city facilities may change their hours. Public works staff are asking for patience and remind drivers to give snowplows plenty of room to work as they manage the heavy drifts and blowing snow across the community.
