Students across the region remained home Monday after school boards made the decision to cancel classes and student transportation the night before, as crews continued clearing roads and school properties following Sunday’s major winter storm.
The call was made earlier than usual, as boards typically wait until around 6:30 a.m. to announce cancellations.
With that, the early decision was in line with several other school boards across Ontario, citing ongoing concerns about road conditions, sidewalk safety, and the ability to safely operate buses.
While conditions have been gradually improving, Environment Canada said lingering flurries and gusty northwest winds were expected throughout the day.
Forecasters called for winds of 20 kilometres per hour, gusting to 40, with a high of minus 10 and wind chill values near minus 20.
Transportation officials said the extra day allows crews more time to clear rural roads, bus routes, parking lots and school entrances that were heavily impacted by blowing snow and drifting.
Snow removal teams have been working since early Sunday to restore access after the storm brought heavy snowfall and poor visibility to much of the region.