Here's what's closed across Hamilton, Niagara and Halton as winter storm hits the region

Here's everything you need to know about what's closed in Hamilton, Niagara and Halton as the first winter storm of the season hits the region.

All Catholic and public schools are closed on what would have been the first day back to in-person classes after weeks of remote learning due to COVID-19 following the winter break.

Canada Post has announced a red delivery service alert for Eastern and Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, which includes Hamilton, Niagara and Halton. Deliveries will be suspended for the day. 

Environment Canada officially ruled on Monday morning that the storm dumping snow on Hamilton and the surrounding area is a blizzard. Later in the day, it was downgraded to a winter storm warning, with total snowfall amounts of 40 to 60 cm. 

GO transit reports delays and cancellations due to the weather. For real-time information on your next bus arrival, you can text your bus stop ID to 88846 or call 1-888-GET-ON-GO. Find out more at gotransit.com/wheresmybus.

Hamilton

The City of Hamilton says crews are working to clear the snow from area roads. They're reminding people to leave extra time for their commute this morning and to keep some distance from plows.

Waste collection for Monday is cancelled and will instead take place next Monday (Jan. 24).

The city's dental health bus is closed, as are community recycling centres and the Red Hill Family Centre.

All city COVID-19 vaccine clinics are open, except for at the Glanbrook Arena, which is closed.

A full list of services impacted by the storm can be found on the city's website.

All YWCA Hamilton locations are closed.

The Children's Aid Society of Hamilton is closed but says it continues "to provide core child protection services, with a focus on keeping children and youth safe. As always, if you have any concerns about a child or youth, contact us 24/7 at (905) 522-1121."

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) says all conservation areas are "closed until staff are able to get them in operational conditions" and the HCA Woodend main office will be closed for the day. Appointments are needed in advance of visiting the office. 

The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic is closed today as well.

HSR said on Twitter that riders should expect "significant delays on routes across the city due to weather. #HSR2 Barton buses are detouring at end of line around Bell Manor Loop. Routes 20, 21, 33 and 35 are also detouring to avoid West 5th access. No service cancellations at this time."

Niagara

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheduled at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre for Monday has been cancelled. Anyone who booked an appointment will be able to walk-in on any future date.

All locations of the Niagara Falls Public Library will also be closed.​ The Niagara Region has closed its regional headquarters, mass immunization clinics, all daycare and child care centres, all social assistance centres, waste collection, public health offices as well as sexual and mental health centres. Call centres will remain open, but residents will be advised to expect delays. All landfills, waste and recycling centres will have open later than usual.

All locations and programs operated by Family and Children's Services Niagara and the Family Counselling Centre will be closed Monday. Teams will be working remotely. In the event of an emergency, please call 905-937-7731 and dial 0 (zero) for our live answering service.      

All John Howard Society of Niagara offices are closed. Deanna Villella, a manager there, said in a tweet that staff are working remotely. 

"If you have virtual appointments staff will still be in contact with you. If you need assistance please call or email," she said. 

Halton

The Halton Children's Aid Society is closed, though, the organization said in a tweet, "staff continue to work remotely and can be reached at 905.333.4441."

The YWCA of Greater Toronto is closed. That means child care and before and after school programs are closed in Halton and the rest of the GTA. 

The Burlington public library is closed.

The YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford announced that its full day child care and school age child care centres are closed today.

GO Transit

GO Transit says the routes 12 and 16 buses are temporarily suspended. "Customers at Union Station can take the Lakeshore West service to Aldershot GO. At Aldershot GO, customers can take the Route 18 GO Bus service to Hamilton GO Centre," the service says.
 
Customers at Hamilton GO can take the Route 18 GO Bus which will connect customers to Aldershot GO. From Aldershot GO, customers can take the Lakeshore West service to Union Station. Click here for information on all service updates.
 
For real-time information on your next bus arrival, you can text your bus stop ID to 88846 or call 1-888-GET-ON-GO. Find out more at gotransit.com/wheresmybus.