Snowstorm Causes Chaos in Waterloo Area

Halim Rahim has been living in Canada for nearly four years, but he says this winter is unlike anything he’s seen before.

“This year is so much snow and cold,” he shared.

Even with the freezing temperatures on Thursday, Rahim mentioned he’s enjoying the experience, especially as someone who’s still getting used to life in Canada.

“It’s something new for me,” he said. “Maybe it’s good for me to get used to this winter.”

Residents of Waterloo region, Guelph, and Wellington County are digging out after a heavy snowfall covered the area from Wednesday night into Thursday.

Schools were shut down, transit was delayed, and police advised people to avoid unnecessary travel until roads can be cleared.

WATCH | Waterloo region hit with major snowstorm:

Waterloo region hit with a major snowstorm

With schools closed and traffic snarled, the snow kept falling across Waterloo region and nearby areas. CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia provides an update on Thursday’s storm from downtown Kitchener.

Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Wilmot Township have all declared snow events. On-street parking bans are now in effect for at least 24 hours.

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

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

Snowfall totals of up to 30 cm are expected with flurries continuing through Thursday afternoon before tapering off in the evening.

The storm left behind as much as 30 cm of snow across Waterloo region and surrounding areas. ( Lauren Kuivenhoven/CBC)

Overnight collisions

The snowy conditions caused problems during the morning commute and led to multiple traffic collisions throughout the region.

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

In Guelph alone, police responded to 17 motor vehicle accidents between 6 p. m. Wednesday and 7 a. m. Thursday amid the heavy snowfall.

A collision at Stone Road W. and Scottsdale Drive Wednesday evening resulted in minor injuries; one driver was taken to hospital due to a possible concussion.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) noted that in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area there were 200 collisions reported along with 125 vehicles stuck in snowbanks or ditches within the same timeframe.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, showing one crash where vehicles were “pin-balling” off each other due to icy conditions caused by the weather.

Earlier in another video clip, Schmidt advised drivers to think about delaying their travel plans until conditions improve enough for safe driving again.

“The snow is here, the wind is here, the roads are slick,” he stated. “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 prepare for a slow drive.”A person stands on a snowy Watson Parkway in Guelph early Thursday morning after overnight snowfall. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Delays and cancellations

The weather forecast has caused school closures along with bus cancellations and commuter delays across various regions.

All schools within Waterloo region as well as those in Guelph and Wellington County are closed today.

“This includes all St. Louis online classes during daytime or evening hours at all locations. All community programs will not operate today either,” according to an announcement from Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region website.

Mentioning Brant County specifically: schools governed by both Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board have been closed as well.

This closure also affects schools under Avon Maitland district boards including Huron-Perth Catholic system too.

A severe weather event has been announced by Grand River Transit causing several stops either being closed or detoured altogether.

“Buses continue running but expect delays on numerous routes owing largely due road conditions,” says Grand River Transit website.

Kitchener GO commuters alongside those using Guelph Transit should check respective websites ahead before heading out today concerning any delays too!..

Canada Post announced mail delivery suspensions throughout Kitchener-Waterloo & Guelph while warning about possible delays affecting southern Ontario further overall! .. Other closures/cancellations include:. Conestoga College closing campuses altogether this day “but may reopen later tonight.” University Of Waterloo reports they’ll be closed until Friday morning @6 AM!. WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY HAS CLOSED ALL CAMPUSES THURSDAY EXPECTING TO REOPEN FRIDAY MORNING SOON TOO. University Of Guelph reports all campuses will remain shut today likewise!. YMCA Three Rivers confirmed closings at childcare sites spanning across regions like waterloo/guelph/wellington/stratford etc…Wilmot township indicated recreation programs scheduled thus far at their Wilmot Recreation Complex community center have been canceled also!!!Community events/programs located inside Kitchener centers faced cancellation notices earlier today too. The game set between GUELPH STORM AND NIAGARA ICEDOGS WAS POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS!!.

Bitterly Cold Temperatures Too

As if dealing with all that snow wasn’t enough already.. temperature highs expected won’t exceed -11 C throughout thursday itself ! Geoff Coulson serving as meteorologist specializing toward Weather Preparedness warned it could feel closer towards -25 C given Wind Chill factors contributing making this perhaps THE COLDEST DAY experienced around WATERLOO REGION thus far THIS YEAR !! He adds Friday/weekend might bring back more seasonal temps though prepping folks come Monday ready again since prolonged returns occurring involving colder-than-usual air masses commencing then quickly thereafter ;). January typically marks peak chill month & judging based upon what we’ve seen earlier till now aside chilly start January seemed quite mild overall but signs indicating shifts happening shortly ahead.【 【Photos】Winter storm hammers Ontario & Quebec 】

Source link