Residents in Ontario experienced severe winter weather as heavy snow forced the closure of a major highway on December 1.

Truck driver Sonny Subra was stranded in the middle of the road as severe snowstorm squall blanketed Toronto, making travel nearly impossible.

Footage shows thick snow accumulating on the roadway as the storm intensified, rendering roads impassable. Motorists were stranded on highways, and power outages were reported in several areas.

Nearby residents stepped in to assist by providing food and water to stranded drivers, while crews worked tirelessly to plough the roads.

The town of Bracebridge reportedly declared a state of emergency as relentless snowfall blanketed the region.

Highway 11, which had been closed for nearly 100 km (62 mi) between Orillia and Huntsville, has since been cleared, though hundreds of motorists were stranded during the storm.

The Ontario Provincial Police said that vehicles trapped in the snow had to be removed before ploughing operations could commence.

Approximately 65 per cent of Canada's landmass is covered in snow for more than six months of the year. Winter storms are common across the country and can include heavy snowfall, blizzards, blowing snow, freezing rain, ice storms, wind chills, and extreme cold temperatures.