Snowstorm Forces School Closures in Waterloo and Guelph

As residents of Waterloo region, Guelph, and Wellington County clear away snow from yet another storm, a warning for frigid temperatures was issued Monday afternoon.

“Bitterly cold conditions” are anticipated late Monday night into Tuesday morning, with wind chill making it feel like -25 C to -30 C. There will also be “brisk winds” reaching up to 50 km/h, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s yellow warning.

“Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter,” the warning stated.

People should watch out for cold-related symptoms such as:

Shortness of breath. Chest pain. Muscle pain and weakness. Numbness and color change in fingers and toes.

“Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” the weather warning said. It also advised keeping emergency supplies like extra blankets and jumper cables in vehicles.

Anyone who works outside should take precautions too, including “regularly scheduled breaks to warm up.”

Schools closed Monday

Meanwhile, folks are digging out from another round of snowfall over the weekend. Elementary schools, high schools, and post-secondary institutions in Waterloo region, Guelph, and Wellington County were closed on Monday.

Four major school boards – Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board, and Wellington Catholic District School Board – announced they would close all schools Monday due to a winter storm that affected the area on Sunday. Additionally, Mon Avenir School Board has shut down schools in Guelph, Waterloo, Brant, and Norfolk.

The campuses of Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, and Conestoga College are all closed.

A yellow warning for heavy snowfall was in effect over Waterloo region, Guelph and nearby areas throughout Sunday. Environment Canada predicted 10 to 20 cm of snow by the end of the storm.

The storm system particularly impacted the Greater Toronto Area with as much as 60 cm of snow falling on Sunday. More than half of the flights at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Airport were cancelled that day; travelers were urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

WATCH | What you need to know about school cancellations Monday:

Schools closed in Guelph, Waterloo region after winter storm

It’s officially a snow day for elementary students through post-secondary students in Waterloo region and Guelph on Monday. CBC K-W’s Kate Bueckert outlines what we need to know after a significant snowstorm moved through the area.

‘Please slow down’

Sunday’s snowstorm affected Monday’s commute with police responding to multiple collisions on Highway 401.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Ed Sanchuk encouraged drivers to “please slow down.”

“We just want people to get where they’re going safely but more importantly just reduce your speed and drive according to weather conditions while being patient,” Sanchuk told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s The Morning Edition from his vehicle near ONroute in Ingersoll.

Sanchuk reminded drivers about leaving enough space between vehicles while putting away distractions.

“Reduce your speed and focus 100 percent on driving,” he said.

Sanchuk also cautioned drivers against trying to pass or cut in front of snowplows since that could lead to serious accidents.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service dealt with 25 collisions across the area within the last day. A spokesperson told four involved minor injuries.

The OPP responded to two separate crashes on Monday where cars went up snowy embankments on the Highway 7 flyover ramp before landing over concrete barriers onto the highway below.In one crash around 2 a. m., a taxi driver was taken to hospital with injuries while another accident around 7:30 a. m. resulted in one driver being pronounced dead at the scene. Roads nearby were shut down for several hours during investigations.

A spokesperson from Guelph Police Service mentioned officers responded to five collisions but reported no injuries occurred.

Street parking banned

A winter street parking ban is currently enforced for Guelph along with Kitchener , Cambridge , Waterloo , and Township Of North Dumfries.

Guelph ‘s ban started at seven o’clock AM On Sunday. The city indicates this ban will likely stay active for several days.

Kitchener ‘s And North Dumfries’ bans started at noon On Sunday. Cambridge ‘s ban will take effect starting eight PM On Sunday ; After this time , no parking will be permitted On streets across these three municipalities until noon Tuesday.

Waterloo initiated its street parking ban beginning at eleven fifty-nine PM Sunday lasting twenty-four hours. Overnight parking exemptions have been canceled.

Authorities indicate these measures allow crews To keep clearing roads , bike lanes , And sidewalks based upon priority levels. Roads usually get cleaned within a single day While sidewalks may take three days even when heavy weather events finish.

The City Of Guelph notes individuals caught parked illegally during The ban might receive higher-cost tickets Or risk towing.

Kitchener officials inform fines For unauthorized street parking during Snow events can reach $100.

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