Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning for Woodstock, Ontario, and Oxford County as a winter storm is expected to bring 15 to 20 centimetres of snow by Saturday morning, January 31, 2026. Forecasters say the heaviest snow is likely between 4:00 p.m. Friday and 2:00 a.m. Saturday, creating hazardous travel conditions for many residents.
According to Environment Canada, snowfall rates could reach 2 to 3 centimetres per hour at times. These heavy snow rates, combined with gusty winds, may produce “whiteout” conditions that make it very difficult for drivers to see the road.
The City of Woodstock has activated its full winter response protocol, deploying its fleet of plows and salt trucks to prioritize main roads and emergency routes. Residents are reminded that on-street parking is prohibited between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (Dec. 1–Mar. 31) to allow plows to operate, and property owners are required by municipal bylaw to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall.
Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (MyBigYellowBus) has reported that all school purpose vehicles serving Oxford County were cancelled this morning. Parents and commuters should check the MyBigYellowBus cancellations page and Ontario 511 for real-time updates on bus and road conditions — particularly for Highway 401 and other major routes through the area (including the Highway 403 connection at Woodstock).
Local coverage in the Woodstock Sentinel-Review notes that this storm is part of a pattern of heavy winter weather affecting the area through late January. Mayor Jerry Acchione urged residents to look out for neighbours and keep walkways clear: “Be a good neighbor—clear your sidewalks. It’s not just about the bylaw; it’s about the safety of seniors and students who have to navigate these drifts.”
