Severe Weather Causes Widespread Bus Cancellations
“Non-essential travel is not recommended,” stated Environment Canada as freezing rain warnings were issued for the Ottawa-Gatineau area. The severe weather has led to significant disruptions across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with all school buses cancelled in these regions.
On March 11, 2026, Algonquin College announced the cancellation of in-person classes, reflecting the broader impact of the storm. All schools in western Quebec and Renfrew County are closed, further complicating the situation for students and parents alike.
Transportation services have been halted throughout Renfrew County, with the Renfrew County Public and Catholic school boards confirming, “Transportation services are CANCELLED for ALL AREAS. All schools are closed.” This cancellation extends to various school zones, including Zone 5, where buses for schools in Lions Head and Tobermory are not operating today.
In addition to school disruptions, approximately 50 flights were cancelled at Ottawa International Airport due to the ongoing storm. The adverse weather conditions have left around 7,500 customers without power in western Quebec, with 4,300 of those affected in Hydro One’s Bancroft and Cobden areas.
Forecasts predict 2 to 3 centimetres of freezing rain in the affected areas, with Ottawa expecting 1 to 2 centimetres. Furthermore, 20 to 40 millimetres of rain is anticipated south of the warnings, adding to the hazardous conditions.
In Muskoka, bus services have also been cancelled by Simcoe County Public and Simcoe Catholic schools, while school transportation in Sudbury, Espanola, Massey, and Manitoulin has been similarly suspended. The Tri-Board’s central and northern weather zones are also experiencing cancellations.
As the storm progresses, the situation remains fluid, with authorities urging residents to stay informed and avoid unnecessary travel. The storm’s severity has drawn comparisons to the April 2023 ice storm, which caused extensive power outages in the region.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the storm’s impact, but the current conditions have prompted widespread caution among residents and travelers alike.
