All transportation services for students in Guelph and surrounding Wellington County have been suspended on Tuesday due to freezing rain. Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services has halted operations in all four zones they cover, which include Guelph, Puslinch, Rockwood, Erin, North Wellington, and Dufferin County. Meanwhile, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region has canceled buses to E.C. Drury.
A yellow warning for freezing rain has been issued for Waterloo Region and Guelph. According to Environment Canada, the freezing rain is forecasted to taper off in the early evening, with an anticipated ice accumulation between one to five millimeters by the day’s end.
The weather agency mentioned that the precipitation might start as sporadic freezing drizzle before transitioning into freezing rain. Later, as a low-pressure system moves across southern Ontario, the freezing rain is expected to change into snow. Consequently, roads and walkways are likely to become icy and treacherous, with surfaces potentially challenging to identify. There is also a possibility of local utility outages, and the risk of slips and falls is heightened. Authorities are urging caution for pedestrians and drivers.
Waterloo Regional Police are advising motorists to exercise caution as freezing rain can lead to dangerous road conditions. They emphasized the importance of reducing speed, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, and ensuring all ice is cleared from vehicles.
Sgt. Ed Sanchuk of the West Region Ontario Provincial Police shared a video on Tuesday morning, warning about the adverse weather conditions and their impact on driving. He stressed the need for drivers to adjust their speed according to the weather and road conditions, allowing ample time, space, and distance between vehicles to ensure a safe journey.
Furthermore, the Grand River Conservation Authority has cautioned against venturing onto ice formations in local streams, rivers, and lakes due to the unstable conditions caused by fluctuating temperatures.