Quebec freezing rain alert prompts school closures Wednesday
Many schools in southern Quebec are closed on Wednesday in anticipation of the forecasted ice storm.
Shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the Eastern Townships School Board announced its decision to close all its schools, centres and daycares, as well as cancel school transportation services.
The Lester B. Pearson School Board, with schools in the West Island and areas west of Montreal to the Ontario border, announced its closure Tuesday evening. All schools, centres and administrative offices are closed.
The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM), which covers much of the city, also announced that all schools, daycare services and administrative offices would be closed Wednesday. That includes adult education classes as well.
The English Montreal School Board announced on its Facebook page that it would also be closed "out of an abundance of caution." This includes all schools, daycares, adult and vocational centres, virtual school and the EMSB administration building.
The Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys says on its website that it is closed, including remote classes.
"We urge everyone to exercise caution if travel is necessary," it says.
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board on Montreal’s North Shore sent out an email Tuesday afternoon, saying students are to remain home and daycare services are also closed.
FORECAST: 15-30+mm of freezing rain: Quebec faces major ice storm potential
The Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles (CSSMI), north of Montreal, is closed.
The Centre de services scolaire des Navigateurs (CSSDN), located in the Chaudière-Appalaches region near Quebec City, also announced schools and daycare services are closed. In Quebec City, the Centre de services scolaire de la Capitale (CSSC) is also closing for the day.
“The CSSDN chose to announce the closure preventively in order to offer parents more time to plan an alternative,” the school centre said.
All schools and centres of the Centre de services scolaire de Laval are closed Wednesday. All day and evening classes (including online) are cancelled, school transport is suspended and daycares are closed.
Concordia and McGill universities also cancelled in-person classes on Wednesday. Several CEGEPs throughout southern Quebec have announced closures as well.
To remain updated on school closures, check your school board or school service centre's website or social media pages.
Alpine enthusiasts looking to hit the slopes should also be checking with their favourite ski resort before heading out. Locations like Les Sommets, Mont-Tremblant, Bromont, Sutton, Orford and Owl's Head are shutting down for the day.
Environment Canada issued an "orange alert" for much of southern Quebec, saying that residents should prepare for major disruptions.
Between 20 and 30 millimetres of freezing rain are expected Wednesday. Areas further north in Quebec, including Charlevoix, Saguenay and Rimouski, could be hit with 20 to 30 centimetres of snow.
This article was originally published for CBC News.