Snowmageddon blasts Island

Michael Erskine

Mar 22, 2026 - 2 min read

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH—For days in advance, Environment Canada warned Islanders of an impending winter storm that would bring much in the way of mixed precipitation. The forecasters got it right. Manitoulin Island was largely shut down Monday, as were huge swaths of the Northeast. The weather caused highway closures, power outages and downed trees, like the one above in Manitowaning. photo by Peter Baumgarten - Creative Island Photography

Snowmageddon blasts Island — BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH—For days in advance, Environment Canada warned Islanders of an impending winter storm that would bring much in the way of mixed precipitation. The forecasters got it right. Manitoulin Island was largely shut down Monday, as were huge swaths of the Northeast. The weather caused highway closures, power outages and downed trees, like the one above in Manitowaning. **photo by Peter Baumgarten - Creative Island Photography**

Manitoulin coated in snow, ice

MANITOULIN—The extremely heavy influx of snow, rain and icy weather that hit Manitoulin Island and much of Northeastern Ontario Sunday and Monday made driving on highways and roads almost impossible and has led to many local municipalities declaring significant weather events. Most Island businesses were closed and there were reports of hydro outages.