UPDATE: Winter wallops Hamilton, schools closed Tuesday
Hamilton is digging out after a winter wallop over the Family Day long weekend, spurring both school boards in the city to call a snow day on Tuesday.
All schools and administration buildings of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) are closed today, February 16, 2021, due to inclement weather, the board said in a press release.
Opportunities for asynchronous learning are available to students online. All staff, instructional and non-instructional, will transition to a remote learning/work day. The public board also made the announcement on social media, adding buses are also cancelled.
All Mohawk College campuses will also be closed Tuesday due to weather. All in-person day and evening classes are cancelled. Virtual and remote classes will continue as scheduled. Online services are available.
As for McMaster University, the campus is closed. Employees who work remotely will continue to do so. Employees who have been working on campus will not come to work, unless deemed essential by the storm emergency policy, the school said on Twitter.
The winter storm could spoil plans for Hamilton's post-stay-at-home order reopening.
Environment Canada reissued the warning Tuesday morning, advising of up to 40 cm of snow in some areas.
The weather agency issued weather warnings for much of southern Ontario earlier in the morning, cautioning residents of heavy snowfall. At least 25-35 cm of snow is expected to fall on Hamilton before it begins to taper off early Tuesday afternoon.
Some locations could get more than 35 cm, due to moisture coming off Lake Ontario, Environment Canada said. Greater snowfall totals are also possible in areas with higher elevation.
The aftermath of the storm comes the same day many Ontarians were expecting relief from stay-at-home orders.
Businesses, like retailers and restaurants, are expecting to open their doors to customers inside for the first time in over seven weeks on Tuesday.
However, Environment Canada warns travelling will be extremely hazardous," with high wind gusts of up to 50 km/h until Tuesday afternoon.
The agency says to consider delaying non-essential travel.
Aside from schools in the city, several city services have closed for the day while others will be affected by the snowfall.
The Hamilton Public Library announced on Twitter that all branches will be closed and the Bookmobile stops have been cancelled for Tuesday. Online programming will continue as planned.
Outdoor rinks in the Freelton Community park, Waterdown Memorial Park, Dundas Driving Park and the Bernie Morelli Recreation Serafini Family Outdoor Ice Pad are all closed.
HSR and Trans-cab are both experiencing delays, according to the city. DARTS will not be operating.
There is a minor delay for garbage collection, according to the city.
The Red Hill Family Centre remains open and the Frosty Fun Program with pickup activity kits will begin at 11 a.m.
The Dundas Valley Art Centre has closed for the day but has plans to reopen at 6 p.m. for evening pottery classes, according to a tweet. Their online classes will continue as scheduled.