Halim Rahim has lived in Canada for almost four years, but says he’s never experienced a winter like this.
“This year is so much snow and cold,” he said.
Despite the bitter temperatures on Thursday, Rahim said he’s enjoying the experience, especially as someone relatively new to Canada.
“It’s something new for me,” he said. “Maybe it’s good for me to get used to this winter.”
People in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County are digging out after heavy snow blanketed the area Wednesday night into Thursday.
Schools were closed, transit was delayed and police have urged people to avoid non-essential travel until roads can be cleared.
WATCH | Waterloo region hit with major snowstorm:
Waterloo region hit with a major snowstorm
Schools are closed, traffic is snarled and the snow is falling in Waterloo region and the surrounding area. CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia has an update on Thursday’s snowstorm from downtown Kitchener.
Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Wilmot Township have declared snow events. On-street parking bans are in effect for at least 24 hours.
North Dumfries and Woolwich also have significant weather events in effect until further notice.
An orange weather alert for snowfall was in effect until just after 1 p.m. on Thursday when it was lifted.
Snowfall amounts of up to 30 cm are expected with snow lasting through to Thursday afternoon before tapering off Thursday evening.
The storm covered Waterloo region and nearby areas with up to 30 cm of snow. ( Lauren Kuivenhoven/CBC)Overnight collisions
The snow snarled the morning commute and caused numerous traffic collisions across the region.
Waterloo Regional Police reported a total of 211 collisions in the past 24 hours, three of which resulted in injuries.
In Guelph police responded to 17 motor vehicle collisions between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday during the heavy snowstorm.
One of the collisions, at Stone Road W. and Scottsdale Drive Wednesday evening, resulted in minor injuries. One driver was transported to hospital for a possible concussion.
For the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported 200 collisions and 125 vehicles stuck in snowbanks or ditches over the past 24 hours.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, from the scene of one crash saying vehicles were “pin-balling” off each other and barriers due to weather and snowy, slippery conditions.
In an earlier video, Schmidt had said motorists should consider holding off on driving anywhere until the weather improves and snow can be cleared.
“The snow is here, the wind is here, the roads are slick,” he said. “If you’re going to be heading out this morning, make sure you’re giving yourself all the time in the world, brush your vehicle off of snow and ice and get ready for a slow, slippery drive.”
A person stands on a snow-covered Watson Parkway in Guelph on Thursday morning just before 6 a.m. after a heavy snowfall overnight. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)Delays and cancellations
The weather forecast has led to school closures, bus cancellations and commuter delays.
All schools in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County are closed Thursday.
“This includes all St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes at all locations. All community use programs will not operate. All evening rental permits are cancelled. All extended day childcare programs are closed,” said a post on the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region website.
In Brant County, schools under the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board are closed.
The closures also extend to schools in the Avon Maitland and Huron-Perth Catholic district school boards.
Grand River Transit has declared a severe weather event and has closed or detoured a number of stops.
“Buses continue to run, but there are delays on a number of routes due to weather and road conditions. Please give yourself extra time,” Grand River Transit says on its website.
Guelph Transit and Kitchener GO commuters are asked to check the respective websites for any delays before travelling.
Canada Post has suspended mail delivery for the day in Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph and is warning of potential delays across the rest of southern Ontario.
Other closures and cancellations:
Conestoga College has closed all campuses on Thursday “with the possibility of reopening this evening.”University of Waterloo is closed and is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday. Wilfrid Laurier University has closed all campuses Thursday and they are expected to reopen Friday.University of Guelph has closed all campuses on Thursday.YMCA of Three Rivers has closed all of its child-care sites in Waterloo region, Guelph-Wellington and Stratford. YMCA employment and immigrant services in Kitchener, Cambridge and Stratford are also closed. Wilmot Township says recreation programs at the Wilmot Recreation Complex and the St. Agatha Community Centre have been cancelled.Community events and programs at Kitchener community centres are cancelled for the day.The game between the Guelph Storm and the Niagara IceDogs has been postponed. Oh yeah, it’s also really cold
On top of the snow, temperatures are not expected to go above –11 C on Thursday.
Geoff Coulson, a weather preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, told CBC News it will “feel more like a –25 C at times” thanks to wind chill, making it one of the coldest days in Waterloo region so far this year.
Friday and the weekend will see more seasonal temperatures but then Coulson says people should be prepared for a prolonged return to colder-than-usual temperatures starting on Monday.
“January is traditionally the coldest month and certainly the weather up until this point, aside from some chilly weather to start off, January has been on the mild side. But that trend definitely looks like it’s changing,” he said.
PHOTOS | Winter storm hammers Ontario and Quebec: