Severe winter weather is set to blanket Southern Ontario, prompting several school boards to announce closures and bus cancellations as safety takes priority.
On Wednesday afternoon, both the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board declared all schools and worksites would be closed on Thursday, February 13. This decision came as residents braced for significant snowfall and hazardous conditions, with officials citing 'extreme snowfall and weather forecasted to develop across regions of the board.'
The Trillium Lakelands District School Board and the Waterloo Region District School Board also moved to shut down operations for Thursday. Meanwhile, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and its Catholic counterpart announced they would keep schools open but would cancel all bus services due to the predicted storm.
The incoming winter storm is projected to begin affecting the region Wednesday afternoon, lasting through the night and continuing Thursday morning. Environment Canada has issued widespread winter storm warnings, indicating the potential for severe and hazardous conditions across the affected areas.
Forecasts suggest snowfall totals could reach between 20 and 40 centimeters across Southwestern, Central, and Eastern Ontario, leading to extremely treacherous driving conditions. At some points, snowfall rates are expected to exceed 5 centimeters per hour, which could hinder snowplow operations and make travel very dangerous.
Given the severity of the storm and the high probability of widespread bus cancellations — estimated at over 90% for several boards — many school boards opted to close preemptively. The likelihood of school closures was reinforced by warnings emphasizing the dangers of travel on Thursday morning.
While many regions face significant snowfall, conditions may vary across the province. The Golden Horseshoe and Niagara area, which usually has more reliable snow-clearing operations, may see less certainty with cancellations due to potential mixed precipitation. Predictions for these areas estimate cancellation probabilities around 75% for school buses.
The Hamilton region is also anticipating hazardous weather, with expectations of over 15 centimeters of snow beginning late Wednesday. Local school boards will assess the situation closely, notifying families about potential cancellations by 6 a.m. on Thursday. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board follows strict protocols, where severe weather combined with bus cancellations leads to the closure of schools.
Over the last few weeks, Hamilton has faced multiple significant storms. A snowstorm at the end of January caused widespread traffic complications, and parents know all too well the challenges posed by sudden school closures.
Notification procedures vary between boards. Both the Durham District School Board and York Region District School Board have mechanisms for early morning announcements concerning bus operations, keeping parents informed alongside Halton and Simcoe County boards.
Parents are advised to stay alert for updates as they might need to make quick decisions concerning their children's schooling amid the unpredictable winter weather.
Whether students will attend school or remain at home hinges on these cancellations and the decisions made by respective school boards, emphasizing the importance of timely communication within school communities during winter storms.
Official statements from the boards highlight their commitment to safety and the well-being of students during inclement weather. The Catholic chair for Hamilton's board, Pat Daly, emphasized, 'Cancelled classes disrupts parents' work days, often forcing them to find last-minute care for their kids, and student learning.'
With weather advisories urging caution, it remains to be seen how the situation develops as the storm hits. Communities across Ontario will continue to monitor conditions closely, prioritizing safety above all else for their students.