Significant snowfall leads to crashes, highway closures
Posted Mar 13, 2026 12:47:14 PM.
Last Updated Mar 13, 2026 06:08:24 PM.
Snowfall blanketed Waterloo Region and beyond late Friday morning, and the conditions led to multiple road closures, including on Highway 401.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said eastbound 401 lanes were closed just past Guelph Line as of 11:30 a.m. due to a collision involving two tractor-trailers.
“If you don’t need to be on the roads, this is a great day to stay back, stay home, stay away, and wait for the system to pass,” said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
Eastbound lanes fully reopened around 3 p.m. and OPP said one person was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
There were also major issues in the westbound 401 lanes, which were closed at Cedar Creek Road shortly after 11 a.m.
OPP said it was due to several collisions, and poor weather and road conditions. Minor injuries were reported.
Crews were able to briefly reopen one westbound 401 lane to try to clear the backlog of traffic stuck on the highway.
“However, that changed when drivers decided not to drive within the confines of the road conditions due to the weather,” West Region OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said. “So we need people to please, put your safety as your priority and reduce your speed.”
Sanchuk said transport trucks were involved and the collision led to an oil spill.
The majority of the westbound 401 lanes between Cedar Creek Road and Oxford Road 29 reopened ahead of 6 p.m.
A special weather statement is in effect for 10 to 15 cm of snow throughout the day.
Drivers are being urged to avoid all unnecessary travel.
Grand River Transit (GRT) declared a severe weather event as a number of stops were closed due to the conditions and detours were implemented. That was later lifted, although GRT still warned of delays.
The weather also prompted snow events across Waterloo Region.
In Cambridge, an on-street parking ban takes effect Friday at 5 p.m. while Waterloo’s starts at 6 p.m.
In Wellesley, a snow event will be declared just before midnight. Kitchener’s snow event begins Saturday at 2 a.m.
