Freezing rain is causing significant disruptions across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec today, with numerous school closures and bus cancellations reported. Environment Canada issued orange-level warnings for the Ottawa-Gatineau area, forecasting two to three centimetres of freezing rain. The weather agency cautioned residents about likely utility outages and potential property damage. Non-essential travel is strongly discouraged as roads and walkways are expected to become icy and slippery.
The Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium announced the cancellation of all bus services in Renfrew County, leading to the closure of all schools in the region. Similarly, all schools, child care centers, and facilities within the Trillium Lakelands District School Board are closed due to the ongoing freezing rain. While school buses are not running in certain areas of eastern Ontario, schools remain open, and parents are urged to exercise caution if driving their children to school.
Environment Canada warns that the storm could be similar to the April 2023 ice storm, which caused widespread power outages. Hydro Ottawa described that storm as the worst ice storm in the area since 1998. Communities south of the warning areas are expected to receive 20 to 40 millimeters of rain.
Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this weather event. Check with your local school board for specific information about closures in your area.
