Significant Weather Event Declared – January 25, 2026

For Immediate Release
Sunday, January 25, 2026 - Port Hope, ON

The Municipality of Port Hope has declared a Significant Weather Event due to heavy snowfall, as defined within the Minimum Maintenance Standards Regulation Ont 239/02. Conditions are expected to last into Monday with heavy snowfall making for dangerous conditions on roads and sidewalks.

Facility Closures

Additionally, all public municipal facilities will remain closed until 12:00 p.m., on Monday, January 26, at which time weather conditions will be evaluated. Further updates will be issued if the reopening schedule changes. Where possible, administrative staff will be working from home to maintain Municipal services.

Facility closures include:

• Town Hall
• Development Team Office (5 Mill Street South)
• Port Hope Public Library
• Jack Burger Sports Complex
• Town Park Recreation Centre
• Fire Administration Office
• Hope Transfer Station
• Transit Services (see additional notes below) 

Transit Services

Transit will be suspended until 1:30 p.m. on Monday to support proper road and bus stop clearing operations and maintain public safety.

Environment Canada and local authorities are advising all to avoid any non-essential travel until conditions improve. During the Significant Weather Event, motorists, pedestrians, and residents are advised to use extra caution as the Municipality may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads and sidewalks due to the heavy snowfall.

Municipal crews will be actively engaged in the following efforts:

• Ongoing monitoring of weather systems and road conditions
• Applying road treatments such as salt and sand/salt mixtures

The declaration will not change how or when the Municipality performs its winter maintenance operations. However, it may take staff longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to a state of safe passage. Public safety is the Municipality’s top priority and operations staff will be working in difficult conditions to keep our roads and sidewalks safe.  

This Significant Weather Event will remain in effect until conditions improve enough to safely resume standard roadway maintenance operations. An official notice will be issued once the event has ended.

All motorists and road users are urged to use extra caution and adjust driving behavior to suit current road conditions.