School buses cancelled in Ottawa on Thursday

While the severe winter weather storm began on Wednesday evening, it stuck around brining more snow overnight making an impact on students across Ottawa.

Environment Canada predicts the storm will conclude Thursday afternoon with the heaviest snow amount falling while the sun was down.

The weather agency forecasts snow totals to reach 40 cm when it’s all said and done.

In preparation for the increasing snow totals, Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) cancelled school buses for French and English Catholic and public schools within the city. This is in effect for Thursday Feb. 13.

Both the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) confirm that while buses are cancelled, school remains open on Thursday.

In addition to school buses, students who are assigned to public transit also have their bus routes cancelled.

OSTA has not yet made announcements for buses on Friday, however the OCDSB has a scheduled professional activity day for both elementary and secondary school.

For the latest Ottawa weather forecast, click here.

Watch where you park in the snow

The city is calling two back-to-back winter weather parking bans due to the snow.

The first is in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 13) and the second will come into effect Friday (Feb. 14) from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During a parking ban all vehicles must not be on the road, unless there is an eligible parking permit. However, crews say people should try to find another parking spot to prevent their vehicle from being snowed in.

With files from Natasha O’Neill.