Ontario Weather Forces Rural School Bus Cancellations and Closures to Start the Week
If you’re in Ontario and woke up Monday thinking it felt like winter had arrived with full force, you weren’t alone. The first Monday of the year brought tough conditions across parts of the province, and in northwestern Ontario, the impact was immediate. In the Thunder Bay area, all rural student transportation was cancelled for the day, and several rural schools were also closed due to unsafe road conditions.
According to local officials, the decision was made early Monday morning as current road conditions were assessed. It was determined that travel in rural areas would not be safe enough for school buses to operate. As a result, every rural bus route was cancelled for January 5, 2026. Families were advised to check the Student Transportation of Thunder Bay website for detailed information on specific routes and to stay updated on any reported delays affecting urban transportation.
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Along with the transportation cancellations, a number of rural schools were closed outright. Those closures included Crestview, Five Mile, Gorham and Ware, Kakabeka, McKenzie, Nor’wester View, Valley Central, and Whitefish. For many families, this meant an unexpected change of plans, with students staying home as winter conditions continued to challenge travel across the region.
This situation in Thunder Bay came as part of a broader weather story playing out across Ontario. In southern parts of the province, including Toronto and the GTA, heavy snowfall was already causing a messy and slow morning commute. Environment Canada had issued snowfall warnings and advisories, with up to 10 centimetres of snow expected in some areas. While the snowfall amounts were described as modest, the timing was said to be problematic, as many people were heading back to work and school following the holiday break.
Visibility was reduced at times, roads became slick, and drivers were urged to slow down and use caution. Even where schools remained open, travel was reported to be challenging, reinforcing why transportation officials in rural northern communities chose to err on the side of safety.
For parents, students, and staff in Thunder Bay’s rural areas, Monday served as a clear reminder of how quickly winter weather can disrupt daily routines in Ontario. With more winter conditions likely ahead, families are being encouraged to keep an eye on local updates, transportation notices, and weather alerts, as more cancellations or closures could be announced if conditions worsen.
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