Waterloo Region faces major snowfall and an orange snow squall alert. Buses are cancelled Friday, but schools remain open as cleanup continues.
Snow Squalls Halt Buses as Waterloo Schools Stay Open
Heavy Snowfall Creates Major Disruptions
More than 20 centimetres of snow fell across Waterloo Region from Thursday into early Friday, leaving roads snow-covered and prompting transportation cancellations. School buses were halted for the day, but schools across the region remained open for students able to attend.
New Alert System Flags Significant Weather Event
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an orange snow squall warning for Waterloo Region and northern Wellington County. Under the new colour-coded system, an orange alert signals a more severe weather event expected to take several days to fully clear. Guelph and southern Wellington County were placed under a yellow alert, indicating hazardous conditions that may lead to delays or cancellations.
School Boards Adjust Operations
While Waterloo Region schools stayed open, students in Guelph and Wellington County already had a scheduled PD day. The Upper Grand District School Board announced that schools and offices in North Wellington would be closed Friday because of the weather. Families who had parent-teacher interviews planned will be contacted to arrange new times.
University Campuses Closed
Wilfrid Laurier University confirmed the closure of all campuses and locations Friday. The university stated that all in-person classes were cancelled or moved online due to deteriorating travel conditions and ongoing snow squalls.
More Snow and Strong Winds Ahead
Forecasters say Waterloo Region could see an additional 20 to 30 centimetres of snow through Friday and overnight into Saturday. Winds are expected to gust between 30 and 50 km/h—lighter than Thursday’s intense blasts but still strong enough to blow snow across rural roads and reduce visibility.
Travel Expected to Remain Difficult
With persistent snowfall and drifting expected, regional officials warn that road conditions may remain treacherous. Cleanup efforts are likely to extend through the weekend, in line with the orange alert’s criteria for prolonged impact.
