Copyright Kingstonist
The first winter storm of 2025-2026 appeared to surprise many drivers and led to dozens of collisions on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Emergency crews responded to at least 11 collision reports on Highway 401 in the Kingston area between the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Responders were also dispatched to at least three collisions on the highway through Loyalist Township, two in South Frontenac, and three in the Napanee area. While most collisions occurred on Highway 401, with several collisions in both directions, police, fire crews and paramedics also responded to several collisions on Highway 2, Highway 38 and other smaller roadways in the region. Environment Canada initially warned of the incoming storm on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, predicting snowfall of between 10 to 20 centimetres of snow to be expected on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. The national weather service subsequently updated its warning to include periods of significant freezing rain. These local collisions across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington were part of more than 120 collisions across eastern Ontario on Sunday afternoon, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). “Most involved cars and trucks sliding off the road, others involved multiple vehicles,” OPP said in a statement regarding its response. Thankfully, according to OPP, there were no fatalities and any injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, “If you must be on the roads for the rest of the day and overnight… PLEASE slow down and drive carefully,” OPP advised. “Leave extra following distance, no sudden maneuvers or braking and keep your eyes on the road ahead.”
