Snowstorm Hits Waterloo Region Hard

Residents in Waterloo region, Guelph, and Wellington County are busy clearing away snow after a heavy snowfall covered the area from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Schools shut down, transit services faced delays, and police advised people to refrain from non-essential travel until roads can be cleared.

Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Wilmot Township have announced snow events. On-street parking bans will be in place for at least 24 hours.

North Dumfries and Woolwich also have significant weather events ongoing until further notice.

An orange weather alert for snowfall was in effect until just after 1 p. m. on Thursday when it was lifted.

WATCH | Waterloo region hit with major snowstorm:

Waterloo region hit with a major snowstorm

Schools are closed, traffic is jammed, and the snow continues to fall in Waterloo region and nearby areas. CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia provides an update on Thursday’s snowstorm from downtown Kitchener.

Snowfall totals could reach up to 30 cm with flurries expected to continue through Thursday afternoon before easing off by evening.

Overnight collisions

The heavy snow disrupted the morning commute and led to many traffic accidents across the area.

Waterloo Regional Police reported a total of 211 collisions over the past day, three of which resulted in injuries.

In Guelph, police dealt with 17 motor vehicle accidents between 6 p. m. Wednesday and 7 a. m. Thursday during the stormy conditions.

One incident at Stone Road W. and Scottsdale Drive on Wednesday evening caused minor injuries, leading one driver to be taken to the hospital for a possible concussion.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported around 200 collisions along with 125 vehicles stuck in either ditches or snowbanks within Greater Toronto-Hamilton over the last day.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, showing vehicles “pin-balling” off each other due to poor weather conditions.

In another video earlier on, Schmidt suggested that drivers might want to hold off on traveling until conditions improved and snow could be cleared away.

“The snow is here, the wind is here, the roads are slick,” he said. “If you’re going to be heading out this morning, make sure you’re giving yourself all the time in the world, brush your vehicle off of snow and ice and get ready for a slow, slippery drive.”

A person stands on a snow-covered Watson Parkway in Guelph on Thursday morning just before 6 a. m. after a heavy snowfall overnight. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Delays and cancellations

The weather has resulted in school closures, bus cancellations as well as commuter delays.

All schools within Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County will remain closed Thursday.

“This includes all St. Louis online classes during daytime hours as well as evening classes at every location; community use programs will not operate; all evening rental permits are cancelled; extended day childcare programs are also closed,” said an announcement posted on Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region’s website.</pp

In Brant County too schools governed by both Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board are shut down.</pp

This closure extends as well to schools within Avon Maitland district school boards along with Huron-Perth Catholic boards.

Grand River Transit has declared severe weather conditions affecting several stops which have been closed or detoured.

“Buses continue operating but there are delays impacting various routes because of bad weather along with road issues. Please allow yourself additional travel time ,” says Grand River Transit’s website.

Guelph Transit commuters , as well as those taking Kitchener GO , should check their websites ahead of their trips for any updates regarding delays.

Canada Post has stopped mail delivery today across Kitchener-Waterloo plus Guelph while warning about possible delays throughout southern Ontario.

Other closures or cancellations include:

• Conestoga College has shut down all campuses today but may reopen later tonight.
• University of Waterloo is closed today , planning to open again at 6 am Friday.
• Wilfrid Laurier University has also closed its campuses today expecting them back open tomorrow morning.
• University Of Guelph halted operations throughout all campuses today too.
• YMCA Three Rivers canceled childcare sites located throughout Waterloo region , Guelph-Wellington areas plus Stratford too ; employment services likewise suspended at locations including Kitchener , Cambridge & Stratford towns respectively.
• Wilmot Township indicates recreation programs held within Wilmot Recreation Complex alongside St. Agatha Community Centre have been called off completely now ; similarly community events planned elsewhere around Kitchener centres cannot proceed either due inclement circumstances surrounding current situation we’re facing right now !
• The game scheduled between Guelph Storm versus Niagara Ice Dogs got postponed becauseof these extreme weather impacts occurring lately!

  Bitterly cold temperatures add more challenges!

  
  Besides dealing with considerable amounts snowy precipitation arriving lately , frigid temperatures aren’t expected rise above -11 degrees Celsius during today’s forecast!

  
  Geoff Coulson who works as meteorologist focusing upon climate preparedness indicated Environment & Climate Change Canada stated ‘it feels like -25 degrees Celsius sometimes ‘due wind chill factors making it among coldest days experienced thus far this year around here!

  
  Forecast predicts milder temps coming Friday followed by weekend ahead; however beginning Monday residents ought prepare themselves once again towards chilly returns lasting beyond what they’ve seen recently so far unfortunately…

  
  “January generally ends up being coldest month traditionally speaking”, he noted while affirming “most recent changes signify trend shifting back into harsher climates soon enough!”

  PHOTOS | Winter storm hammers Ontario and Quebec:
  
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