Ontario winter storm: What’s open and closed around Hamilton

While most of southern Ontario braces itself for an incoming winter storm, some Hamilton schools and businesses are pre-emptively shuttering their doors.

According to Environment Canada, the storm system could drop 15 to 25 centimetres of snow in Brantford, Burlington, Oakville and parts of Hamilton. Freezing rain is also in the forecast for Hamilton.

McMaster University announced the cancellation of all remote and in-person classes, labs, studios and events beginning at 4 p.m. The university said in a statement that Thursday’s closure status would be announced by 6 a.m.

Mohawk College has also shut down all campuses and in-person programming. Virtual classes will continue.

The City of Hamilton will be closing all non-essential services, programs, and recreation facilities by 5 p.m. Some additional early morning recreation programs will also be cancelled or delayed Thursday.

The following recreation facilities have cancelled early morning swim programming:

• Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre
• H.G. Brewester Pool
• Huntington Park Recreation Centre
• Sit Allan MacNab Recreation Centre
• Ancaster Aquatics Centre

Senior centres, arenas and golf facilities in Hamilton are expected to be open by 9 a.m. Thursday.

All Hamilton Public Library branches will be closed at 5 p.m Wednesday. Extended access and study hall services are cancelled.

The southern Niagara region, St. Catharines, Norfolk and Haldimand counties could see about 15 centimetres of snow with significant snowfall starting Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.

For areas under snowfall and winter storm warnings, Environment Canada warns that rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult and could affect traffic in urban areas.

Snowfall is expected to impact evening commutes on Wednesday, with the heaviest snow expected to fall overnight.

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