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All public and Catholic schools in Hamilton are closed.Schools with the French board Conseil Scolaire Viamonde in Hamilton, Niagara and Halton, the District School Board of Niagara, Grand Erie District School Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and Halton public and catholic school boards are also closed.McMaster University is closed. Mohawk College, Brock University and Niagara College campuses are closed.HSR routes are reportedly all delayed and accessible DARTS transit is closed.Hamilton city offices are closed and programs cancelled, including recreation centres.
Schools across the Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington and Brantford areas are closed today after the area was hit with a winter storm overnight.
Environment Canada says the area can expect more snow throughout Thursday and the provincial police are cautioning drivers about road conditions.
Already some roadways are impacted. The ramp from Highway 403 to Highway 6 northbound is closed and the hill to Clappison’s Corner is blocked, police said on social media, “due to tractor trailers unable to climb the hill in the snow.”
In Hamilton, the city said on its website its administrative offices and facilities are closed and programs cancelled, including recreation centres, arenas and museums.
Meanwhile, schools across the region have closed their doors for the day. All schools with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) are closed.
Schools with the French board Conseil Scolaire Viamonde in Hamilton, Niagara and Halton, the District School Board of Niagara, Grand Erie District School Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and Halton public and catholic school boards are also closed.
“Last night’s snowfall continues to impact road conditions and snow removal, resulting in transportation being cancelled,” HWDSB said in a post on social media Thursday morning.
An empty street in Hamilton’s west end on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Schools across the region have closed their doors for the day, while the City of Hamilton has decided to close all city administrative offices and facilities. (Justin Chandler/CBC)
HWCDSB said in an email “due to inclement weather, all HWCDSB schools, adult education centres, school-based childcare centres, administrative buildings and Community Use of Schools are closed” and transportation cancelled but that teachers will post asynchronous learning materials by 10 a.m.
The District School Board of Niagara says learning options are available for elementary students via dsbn.org.
The Catholic board in Niagara, meanwhile, says, “all activities planned for today will be rescheduled, including the open houses at Denis Morris and Saint Michael Catholic High Schools.”
“If you must travel today, please drive safely,” it said on social media.
University, college campuses closed
Meanwhile, McMaster University is also closed due to a “significant winter storm” affecting the area, the university said on social media.
“All scheduled classes, labs, studios and events — in-person and remote — are cancelled,” it said.
Mohawk College campuses also closed, while classes and on-campus events and activities are cancelled at Brock University’s two campuses. Niagara College campuses are also closed.
The YMCA says its child care centres and after school programs, and YMCA EarlyOn locations in Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford are closed.
The Hamilton Public Library said its branches will open late today, starting at noon. Its Greensville Branch is closed.
9 cm of snow so far, more expected
GO Transit is reporting significant delays on the Lakeshore West line. Around 8:30, HSR transit in Hamilton warned all buses “are experiencing significant delays due to weather.” Delays can be tracked via its alert map and real-time transit tracking apps. The HSR DARTS accessible transit service has been cancelled.
In Burlington,Ont., the city is temporarily banning on-street parking and said rule-breakers will be ticketed or towed.
Environment Canada says 20 to 30 cm of snow is expected in the Hamilton area. (Eva Salinas/CBC)
The snowfall warning by Environment Canada began for Wednesday evening and continued Thursday morning. The agency said 20 to 30 cm of snow is expected in the Hamilton area, continuing this morning into the afternoon.
“Reduced visibility at times in heavy snow and local blowing snow,” Environment Canada said.
Today’s closure of schools means programming at early childhood education sites in schools is also cancelled.
Shem Willie, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said Hamilton has recorded nine centimetres of snow so far.
Speaking on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, Willie said a further 10 to 15 centimetres are expected before the snow tapers off.
Sgt. Ed Sanchuk with Ontario Provincial Police is advising people that roadways are “slick, slippery, snow-covered and ice-covered.”
“We’re just asking everyone to please slow down, drive according to road and weather conditions, get to where you’re going safely, but more importantly, get home safely to your families,” Sanchuk said in a post on X.