New Brunswick is bracing for a significant winter storm as freezing rain sweeps across the province, prompting widespread school closures and warnings from Environment Canada. On March 31, 2025, most schools in New Brunswick are closed due to hazardous weather conditions, affecting both Anglophone and Francophone school districts.
All Anglophone school districts west, east, and north are closed, alongside the three Francophone school districts. In contrast, the Anglophone South district has opted to keep schools open, although buses are running on a one-hour delay. As the storm progresses, it is expected to bring ice accumulation of between five and ten millimeters, with the potential for dangerous road conditions.
Environment Canada issued a warning about the storm on the afternoon of March 30, 2025, alerting residents to the potential hazards. The warning specifies that freezing rain will transition to rain later in the morning for southern New Brunswick and by the afternoon for the northern regions. This change in weather is expected to alleviate some of the immediate dangers, but it may also lead to other complications.
“Freezing rain will transition to rain later this morning for southern New Brunswick and this afternoon for the northern half of the province. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break. Utility outages may occur,” the freezing rain warning reads.
In addition to school closures, several other services are affected by the inclement weather. Service New Brunswick centers in Moncton, Dieppe, and Sackville will delay their opening until 10:30 a.m. on March 31, 2025. The offices of Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada, and the Labour Program in Greater Moncton will also be closed until 10:30 a.m. on the same day.
As of 6 a.m. on March 31, flights from Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John were reported to be on time, indicating that air travel may not yet be impacted significantly by the weather. However, travelers are advised to remain vigilant as conditions can change rapidly.
The storm is not limited to New Brunswick; other regions are also experiencing severe weather. In the Simcoe region, both the public and Catholic school boards have announced the closure of schools on March 31, 2025, due to the impact of an ice storm that caused widespread power outages and unsafe conditions. The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) stated that all schools would be closed, including Learning Centres and the Career Centre, while before and after school programs at SCDSB elementary schools will not be operating.
“Due to widespread power outages and unsafe conditions from the ice storm in our region, all Simcoe County District School Board schools will be closed to students on Monday, March 31,” the public board noted on its website.
Similarly, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has announced the closure of all schools and Board office locations, citing downed trees and power lines, internet disruptions, and dangerous driving conditions. “For the safety of everyone, and due to the extent of damage and power disruptions throughout the region, schools will be closed,” the board stated in a news release.
While students in the Simcoe region will not be moving to online learning, they may use this time to catch up on work through digital platforms established by their teachers. Both boards indicated that updates would be provided as conditions evolve.
Back in New Brunswick, the freezing rain is expected to last for several hours, and residents are urged to exercise caution. The potential for ice accumulation poses risks not only to travel but also to utilities, as ice build-up can cause tree branches to break, leading to power outages in affected areas.
In addition to the freezing rain, heavy rainfall is anticipated, particularly along the Fundy coast, including Saint John, Grand Manan, and Fundy National Park. Rainfall totals of 20 to 40 millimeters are expected from Monday afternoon into Tuesday afternoon, raising concerns about localized flooding in low-lying areas.
As conditions worsen, visibility may be reduced during heavy downpours, making travel even more hazardous. Environment Canada has warned residents to stay informed and prepared for changing weather conditions.
In summary, New Brunswick is facing a challenging weather situation as freezing rain and heavy rainfall impact daily life across the province. School closures, service delays, and travel warnings are in effect as residents navigate the effects of this winter storm. Community members are encouraged to stay safe, monitor weather updates, and prepare for possible disruptions in the days ahead.
