Winter Storm Fern Batters Canton: Snow Totals, Closures and Live Updates

Key Points

• Winter Storm Fern has arrived in the Canton region, bringing accumulating snow across a 2,000-mile swath of the U.S., with some areas expecting more than 2 feet according to AccuWeather forecasts.
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency on Jan. 24 to prepare the state for the storm.
• At least 167 million people nationally are under winter storm warnings or advisories; 20 million in the South face ice storm warnings.
• President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations for South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia due to wintry conditions.
• Trump posted on Truth Social on Jan. 26: “We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm.”
• Stark County has seen nearly a foot of snow, with reports of 10.5 inches in Navarre, 11 inches northwest of Louisville, and 9 inches in Greentown; more expected.
• Multiple closures: Massillon City offices and Municipal Court closed Monday; Canton Municipal Court closed, City Council meeting cancelled, trash pickup delayed.
• Schools closed Monday including Alliance, Aultman College, Canton City, and over 20 others in the region.
• Businesses closing early: Acme Fresh Markets at 4 p.m., Buehler’s at 4 p.m., Giant Eagle at 4 p.m.; restaurants like Chloe’s Diner, Meldrums closed.
• Other closures: Stark County DD operations, Veterans Commission, Malone University (remote), Stark State (remote), Aultman College, McKinley Museum, Belden Village Mall.
• Flights disrupted: Over 10,000 cancelled nationally; local impacts at Akron-Canton and Cleveland Hopkins airports.
• NWS predicts 12-14 inches for Canton area; cold week ahead with highs below 20 degrees.
• ODOT deploying 120+ plows in region; OSHP aiding stuck motorists.

Canton(Cardiff Daily) January 25, 2026 – Winter Storm Fern barreled into the Canton region today, blanketing Stark County in heavy snow and prompting widespread closures, emergency declarations, and travel disruptions across the United States.

What Is Winter Storm Fern Bringing to the Canton Region?

The storm has dumped nearly a foot of snow on Stark County since it began, with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland reporting 10.5 inches in Navarre around 1:15 p.m., 11 inches two miles northwest of Louisville, and around 9 inches in Greentown this afternoon. As reported by Canton Repository staff in their live updates updated Jan. 25, 2026, at 7:49 p.m. ET, the snow has tapered slightly but another burst is expected this evening.

NWS meteorologist Jim Sullivan stated, “The snow will be pretty steady throughout the rest of the afternoon into the evening to around 8 p.m. It will be heavy at times. At half an inch to an inch an hour, you can do the math. You’ll see another four to eight inches.” He noted higher totals toward the south in Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Mahoning counties. Overnight, occasional light snow could add another inch, with temperatures around 10 degrees and winds gusting 20-25 mph. Sullivan added, “We are more than halfway through this but across the board the roads are snow covered and icy. It will stay cold and breezy (tonight) and it may take road crews some time to get the roads ready. With the light and fluffy snow, it may blow around a bit.”

The NWS issued final predictions early Sunday, forecasting at least 8-10 inches across northern Ohio, with 12-14 inches confident for the Canton area. A chance of light snow persists Monday before 1 p.m., under half an inch, with highs of 15 degrees and wind chills as low as -3. Sullivan forecasted a cold week ahead: “It’s going to be a cold week with a couple different chances for snow. He doesn’t expect more than an inch or two to fall throughout the week,” with highs not above 20 degrees until at least next Saturday and overnight lows in single digits.

More than half a foot had already fallen by afternoon, per NWS Cleveland updates cited in Canton Repository.

Which Areas Are Affected Nationally by Winter Storm Fern?

AccuWeather forecasts describe Fern bringing accumulating snow to a 2,000-mile swath of the U.S., some spots over 2 feet. At least 167 million people nationally are under winter storm warnings or advisories for the weekend, as detailed in a Canton Repository story on national weather from Jan. 26 . Across the South, 20 million face ice storm warnings.

Wintry conditions spanned over a dozen states, prompting President Donald Trump to approve federal emergency disaster declarations for South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.

What Emergency Measures Have Been Taken?

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency on Jan. 26 to aid preparations, linking to the official bulletin . Trump reinforced federal support, posting on Truth Social Jan. 24: “We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm.”

Locally, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 4 pretreated roads and deployed over 120 snowplows across Ashtabula, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties. ODOT posted on social media: “If possible, limit travel. If you have to be out, please give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.” Statewide, 1,230 crews are active, noting “conditions are rough and continue to decline as snow falls.”

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) shared a video compilation of troopers aiding stuck motorists since 6 a.m., urging: “Our troopers are working across all corners of the state today, assisting stuck motorists and handling crashes. Here are some clips just since 6 a.m. this morning. The best way you can help is by staying off the roads if you’re able or driving with extreme caution if you must be on the road.”

What Closures Have Been Announced in Stark County?

Massillon City offices and Massillon Municipal Court are closed Monday due to weather, per Canton Repository updates. Canton Municipal Court is closed Monday, with all hearings rescheduled. Canton City Council will not meet Monday, and trash pickup is delayed one day.

Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) has closed all operations to individuals served; staff except contract-required do not report. First aid/CPR classes cancelled; Med certification trainees will get emails. The Veterans Service Commission of Stark County posted on social media: “Your safety and the safety of our staff is our priority. Thank you for your understanding,” closing Monday.

Kimble garbage service delayed starts on Jan. 26 across many Stark areas.

Which Schools Are Closed Due to Winter Storm Fern?

Canton-area districts announced closures for Jan. 26: Alliance, Aultman College, Brown, Canton City, Canton Harbor High School, Canton Local, Carrollton Exempted Village, Central Catholic, Dalton, Fairless, Heritage Christian, Jackson, Kent State (all campuses, some online), Lake, Marlington, Massillon, Minerva, North Canton, Northwest, Osnaburg, Perry, Plain, R.G. Drage, Sandy Valley, Sebring, Stark State, Tuscarawas Valley (Jan. 26-27), Tuslaw, West Branch, Wright Prep Academy.

What Businesses and Attractions Are Shutting Down?

Acme Fresh Markets close at 4 p.m. Jan. 25, reopening 7 a.m. Monday; a Facebook post thanked staff: “Stay warm, stay safe and we hope you enjoy some delicious home cooking during your time indoors.”

Buehler’s Fresh Foods locations close 4 p.m. Jan. 25, reopening regular times Jan. 26.

Giant Eagle stores close 4 p.m. Jan. 25, reopening normally Jan. 26. A statement read: “We at Giant Eagle are extremely appreciative of all our Team Members who helped ensure our communities received the grocery staples they needed… With the safety of customers and Team Members top of mind, we have made the decision to close all Giant Eagle and Market District locations at 4 p.m. today.”

Akron Children’s Urgent Cares and Boardman/Austintown Quick Cares closed for patient/staff safety; emergency departments open, Portage Quick Care until 2 p.m.

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, Canton Museum of Art, and Canton Palace Theater closed. Belden Village Mall closed; contact stores directly. Canton Grocery Outlet at 4844 Everhard Road closed. Restaurants: Nelson’s Bar and Grill, Fizzlestix, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Gregory’s Family Restaurant.

In Massillon, Chloe’s Diner posted on Facebook: “Keeping our employees safe and we hope you stay safe, stay home and we will have everything warmed up for you Monday at 7 a.m.” Also closed: Meldrums, Roosters Wings, Maple Street Biscuit Co., Loby’s Grille. Stark County Humane Society closed; several churches cancelled services.

Malone University shifts to remote Jan. 26; check emails. Stark State cancels in-person classes Jan. 26, online proceeds, remote work. Aultman College closed Monday.