Major Snowfall Forces Closure of Rural Schools in Thunder Bay

URGENT UPDATE: The first major snowfall of the winter has triggered the closure of several rural schools in the Thunder Bay area. As of Wednesday morning, a winter storm warning remains in effect, with Environment Canada predicting 10 to 20 centimetres of snow and winds gusting up to 70 km/h as the storm is expected to taper off by Wednesday night.

In an official statement released today, Lakehead Public Schools announced that all rural student transportation has been canceled due to hazardous conditions, including poor visibility and heavy, wet snow. Schools affected by the closures include Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham, Ware, Kakabeka Falls, McKenzie, Nor’Wester View, Valley Central, and Whitefish Valley.

While rural schools are closed, authorities confirm that all public and Catholic schools within Thunder Bay city limits remain operational, with city school bus routes running as scheduled. This decision is crucial for many families relying on consistent education during adverse weather conditions.

In addition, Algoma and Huron-Superior Transportation Services have announced suspensions of student transportation in their northern areas—including the towns of Hornepayne and White River—citing similar concerns over safety.

As the snowfall continues, the City of Thunder Bay has implemented critical winter parking restrictions starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. These include calendar parking restrictions, which require keeping one side of the street clear each day for snow plowing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with route restrictions that prohibit parking on priority snowplow routes between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. daily.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as conditions continue to develop. Stay tuned for further updates as the city responds to the ongoing winter storm.