Schools closed as Waterloo region and area digs out from winter storm
Periods of freezing drizzle are expected throughout the day, weather advisory says
People in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County were digging out Thursday morning after a winter storm brought snow, freezing rain and ice pellets to the area late Wednesday and overnight.
Elementary and secondary schools in the public, Catholic and French-language school boards were closed Thursday.
The University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University said campuses would be closed for the morning and open at noon on Thursday.
CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's Joe Pavia reminded people to take extra time to get where they need to go Thursday morning during traffic updates on The Morning Edition.
"It's a slow drive around the region and transit may be delayed," he said. "The sidewalk shuffle to the transit stop may be tricky."
Waterloo regional police said there were four crashes across the region since midnight, with two resulting in personal injuries. Drivers are being urged to drive according to road conditions.
A freezing drizzle advisory remained in effect for the area Thursday morning, which could make it slippery to walk, cycle or drive.
"A mix of snow, freezing rain and ice pellets have tapered off; however, temperatures are still near the freezing mark and periods of freezing drizzle are expected this morning and possibly early this afternoon," the advisory from Environment Canada said.
The forecast called for a high of 2 C in Waterloo region Thursday then a low of –9 C overnight to Friday, but the wind chill will make it feel closer to –15 C.
Friday is expected to be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries and wind from the northwest up to 40 km/h. The high on Friday is expected to be –6 C, but the wind chill will make it feel much colder: –17 C in the morning and –12 C in the afternoon.
The Ontario Provincial Police reminded people to clear their vehicles of snow and ice before driving.
Make sure YOU clear off all your windows, including the windshield! If you can't see it, how are you going to avoid it! Please <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DriveSafe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DriveSafe</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/NorfolkCountyCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorfolkCountyCA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NorfolkOPP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NorfolkOPP</a> ^es <a href="https://t.co/bQTvAMfBZx">pic.twitter.com/bQTvAMfBZx</a>
—@OPP_WRSnow events and other closures
Kitchener and Waterloo declared snow events as of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, meaning people cannot park on city streets to allow for a full plow-out. The parking ban remains in effect for 24 hours after its declared.
Cambridge has declared a snow event that will begin at noon on Thursday and last 24 hours.
"Any vehicles parked on-street during the snow event may be ticketed and/or towed," the city said in a release. "Residents are also reminded not to push snow from their driveway onto the road."
Other local groups and offices announced closures on Thursday:
- The Cambridge, Fergus, Mount Forest, Blue Springs sites for the Canadian Mental Health Association were closed. Waterloo, Silvercreek and King Street sites would be open.
- RisingOaks Early Learning centres were closed.