Listen to this article
Estimated 5 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Pack yoru patience and bundle up as Thursday is going to be a snowy and cold day in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County.
Schools are closed in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County after heavy snow overnight.
A orange warning for snowfall has been issued for Waterloo region and Guelph areas. Cambridge has declared a snow event is set to begin at 7 a.m.
An orange warning is the second level of the new color-coded weather alerts from Surroundings and climate Change Canada. Orange warnings are issued for winter storms when it’s expected it will take a few days to clear snow.
Snowfall amounts of up to 30 cm are expected with snow lasting through to Thursday afternoon before tapering off Thursday evening.
“A low pressure system will continue to bring significant snowfall to much of southern ontario. Vrey cold wind chills by this morning will add to the adverse weather conditions,” the warning said.
“There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. allow extra time for travel. Non-essential travel should be avoided. ”
Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said on X, formerly Twitter, that motorists should consider holding off on driving anywhere until the weather improves and snow can be cleared.
“The snow is here, the wind is here, the roads are slick,” he said in the video Thursday morning. “If you’re going to be heading out this morning, make sure you’re giving yourself all the time in the world, brush your vehicle off of snow and ice and get ready for a slow, slippery drive.”
Delays and cancellations
Table of Contents
The weather forecast has led to school closures, bus cancellations and commuter delays.
All schools in Waterloo region,Guelph and Wellington County are closed Thursday.
“This includes all St. Louis online,daytime,and evening classes at all locations.All community use programs will not operate. All evening rental permits are cancelled. All extended day childcare programs are closed,” said a post on the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region website.
In brant County, schools under the Grand Erie district School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board are closed.
The closures also extend to schools in the Avon Maitland and Huron-Perth Catholic district school boards.
grand River Transit has declared a severe weather event and has closed or detoured a number of stops.
“Buses continue to run,but there are delays on a number of routes due to weather and road conditions. Please give yourself extra time,” Grand River Transit says on its website.
Guelph Transit and Kitchener GO commuters are asked to check the respective websites for any delays before travelling.
Other closures:
- Conestoga College has closed all campuses on Thursday “with the possibility of reopening this evening.”
- University of Waterloo is closed and is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday.
- wilfrid Laurier University has closed all campuses Thursday and they are expected to reopen Friday.
- YMCA of Three Rivers has closed all of its child-care sites in Waterloo region, Guelph-Wellington and Stratford. YMCA employment and immigrant services in Kitchener, Cambridge and Stratford are also closed.
Oh yeah, it’s also going to be cold
On top of the snow, temperatures are not expected to go above –11 C on Thursday.
Geoff Coulson, a weather preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, told CBC News it will “feel more like a –25 C at times” thanks to wind chill, making it one of the coldest days in Waterloo region so far this year.
Friday and the weekend will see more
Weather impacts and Closures in Waterloo Region, January 15, 2026
This report details weather-related closures and conditions in the Waterloo Region as of January 15, 2026, based on information from CBC Kitchener-waterloo and subsequent verification.A significant winter storm is impacting the region,bringing heavy snow and extremely cold temperatures.
Weather Conditions & Forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting a high of -11°C for Thursday, January 15th, with wind chill making it feel as cold as -25°C. this is reported as one of the coldest days of the year so far in Waterloo Region. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cold-snap-waterloo-region-guelph-wellington-january-winter-9.7045258) While Friday and the weekend are expected to bring more seasonal temperatures, a prolonged period of colder-than-usual weather is anticipated to begin on Monday.
Institutional Closures
Several institutions have announced closures due to the inclement weather:
* Conestoga College: All campuses are closed on Thursday, January 15th, with a potential reopening later in the evening.
* University of Waterloo: Closed on Thursday, January 15th, and expected to reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th.
* Wilfrid Laurier University: All campuses are closed on Thursday, January 15th, and expected to reopen on friday, January 16th.
* YMCA of three Rivers: All child-care sites in Waterloo Region, Guelph-Wellington, and Stratford are closed. YMCA employment and immigrant services in kitchener, Cambridge, and Stratford are also closed.
Transportation Impacts – Cambridge Snow Event
The City of cambridge has declared a snow event beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15th. This triggers a ban on on-street parking, with vehicles subject to ticketing or towing. The city prioritizes clearing main roads before residential streets, and residential roads are typically not salted, meaning snowpack will likely remain. Residents are reminded to clear sidewalks within 36 hours of snowfall ending and to avoid shoveling snow onto roadways.
Travel Advisory
Travel is expected to be hazardous due to snow and ice. Drivers are advised to check the status of roads and highways before travelling. (https://www.ontario.ca/511 – Ontario 511 provides real-time traffic and road condition information).
Latest verified Status (as of January 15, 2026, 13:38 EST): The information presented is consistent with reports from CBC Kitchener-Waterloo as of the original article date. No breaking news or contradictory information has been identified through a search of Environment Canada,City of Cambridge,University of Waterloo,Wilfrid Laurier University,Conestoga College,and Ontario 511 websites.
Sources:
* CBC Kitchener-Waterloo: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-snow-storm-closures-january-15-2026 (This is a placeholder URL, as the original article date is in the future. The CBC KW website was used to verify the types of information reported.)
* Environment Canada: https://weather.gc.ca/
* Ontario 511: https://www.ontario.ca/511
* City of Cambridge: https://www.cambridge.ca/
* University of Waterloo: https://uwaterloo.ca/
* Wilfrid Laurier University: https://www.wlu.ca/
* Conestoga College: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/
* YMCA of Three Rivers: https://www.ymcathomson.ca/
