Snow squalls, whiteouts trigger school bus cancellations for several areas

Another round of heavy snow on the way, with up to 30cm possible for the region.

School buses have been cancelled in several parts of Simcoe County and Grey County Thursday morning as intense snow squalls continue to create dangerous travel conditions.

According to the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), buses are cancelled in the Simcoe County north zone, which covers Elmvale, Midland, Penetanguishene and Orillia. SCSTC says buses are running in all other zones.

Schools remain open to staff and students for learning.

Buses into Meaford and Thornbury are also cancelled, affecting Beaver Valley and Georgian Bay schools. In Owen Sound, officials say all buses to city schools are cancelled, including in-city pickups. Schools impacted include Alexandra, East Ridge, Hillcrest, Keppel-Sarawak, Notre Dame, Owen Sound District, St. Basil’s and St. Mary’s.

Yellow Alert

Environment Canada issued a yellow-level snow squall warning at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, stating that intense lake-effect bands off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay are expected to continue throughout the day. The agency says the impact level is high and forecast confidence is moderate.

Environment Canada says the region could see 20 to 40 centimetres of local snowfall, with visibility significantly reduced in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Northwesterly winds are expected to gust 50 to 60 km/h, making travel “extremely hazardous.”

The agency notes visibility may suddenly drop to near zero and that conditions may vary significantly depending on where snow squalls set up.

It expects conditions to improve by this evening.

When Buses Are Cancelled

SCSTC says a detailed process goes into deciding whether to keep buses off the road.

According to the consortium, decision-making begins at 5:30 a.m., when a representative known as the “snow captain” reviews weather and road conditions in their assigned area. Factors that play into the decision include visibility, road conditions, snow accumulation, freezing rain and updated forecasts. The consortium adds that operators confirm whether snowplows have cleared main routes, and some drivers also assess conditions firsthand at dawn.

SCSTC says the final call is communicated to school boards and families shortly after.

“Cancellations of any weather zones are communicated between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m.,” Kim Malkamaki, CEO and general manager of the consortium, said in an email to CTV News.