“Southern Ontario Sees Fifth Day of School Bus Cancellations Amid Snowstorm”
Southern Ontario is grappling with the effects of a relentless snowstorm, marking the fifth consecutive day of school bus cancellations. Heavy lake effect snow and persistent snow squalls have inundated regions including Muskoka, Parry Sound, and Grey Bruce, resulting in treacherous travel conditions. The forecast indicates that this wintry weather will persist overnight.
Ongoing Weather Conditions
The snow squalls are expected to shift slightly southward by Friday morning. This adjustment will enable intense lake effect snow bands to extend into Simcoe County and the southern areas of Grey Bruce.
Impacts on School Buses
- Regions heavily impacted include:
- Northern Huron and Northern Perth Counties (Avon Maitland District School Board)
- All areas covered by Bluewater District School Board
- Simcoe North weather zone (Simcoe County District School Board)
- North and South Muskoka (Trillium Lakelands District School Board)
- Parry Sound region (Near North District School Board)
These areas sit within the core snowbelt, where heavy snowfall and poor visibility are expected to continue impacting travel.
Forecast for Snow Days
The likelihood of snow days varies across different regions:
- 75% chance: Southern Huron and Southern Perth Counties (Avon Maitland District School Board), as well as Simcoe West, Simcoe Central, and Haliburton.
- 50% chance: Dufferin County (Upper Grand District School Board), Simcoe South, Georgina (York Region District School Board), North Kawartha Lakes (Trillium Lakelands District School Board), and East Parry Sound (Near North District School Board).
- 25% chance: Wellington County (Upper Grand District School Board), northern Durham District School Board, South Kawartha Lakes (Trillium Lakelands District School Board), and North Hastings (Tri-Board Student Transportation Services).
Travel Advisory
While the core snowbelt is expected to face the brunt of the snowstorm, areas outside of this zone are likely to see less severe conditions. Consequently, school buses in Southern Ontario should resume normal operations, provided they are outside the most affected regions.
As the storm unfolds, residents are advised to monitor local forecasts and stay informed about school closures and travel advisories.
