Ontario School Buses Grounded by a Beast of a Snowstorm
Okay, so, major snowstorm hitting Ontario. We're talking serious business, the kind that shuts down school buses. Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings, and let me tell you, they weren’t kidding around. School transportation's been completely messed up, especially up north in Central and Eastern Ontario. It's a real mess, and I'll try to break it down for you.
The Hardest Hit Areas
The worst of it? Near North—think East Parry Sound, North Bay, North Hastings, and Renfrew County. We're talking over 75% chance of school bus cancellations. Honestly, who saw that coming? The snow's been piling up, and it's really close to the cancellation threshold. Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services already pulled the plug on all their buses. Same goes for Algoma and Huron-Superior Transportation Services in Central Algoma – several communities and routes are impacted.
Ottawa and the Surrounding Region
Ottawa’s under a snowfall warning too, but thankfully, it’s a bit better off. They’ve got a lower chance of widespread cancellations—around 25%—thanks to their city infrastructure. They’re a bit more used to handling winter weather. But, some weather models are predicting over 20 cm of snow! If that happens, that 25% could jump up pretty quickly. The Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium already canceled all buses in Zone 4, and other zones might see some delays.
Further South and West
Things get calmer the further south and west you go. Many places are only expecting a light dusting. There might be an exception along the Lake Huron shoreline, though. Lake-effect snow and strong winds could bump the cancellation chances back up to around 25% there. But the GTA and Deep Southwestern Ontario seem to have dodged the worst of it.
Specific Cancellations – The Nitty Gritty
Here's a quick rundown of some specific cancellations to keep in mind:
- Simcoe County: Some cancellations in the northern part; check the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium website for the details.
- SCDSB: East Oro PS and Marchmont PS are closed, and all school buses are cancelled.
- Algoma and Huron-Superior: All school transportation services are cancelled in Central Algoma – that’s a big one.
What You Need To Know
Parents, please check your school board and student transportation service websites. You need the most up-to-date information on delays and cancellations. And if your kid's school is open but the bus is cancelled, you're responsible for getting them to and from school. It's a big responsibility, but it’s important to stay informed and safe.
