Christmas break is coming early for thousands of students across the London region.
Schools throughout the London area will be closed on Friday as communities brace for the incoming winter storm. On Thursday around 4 p.m., both the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) and Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) announced they are proactively shutting down schools and office buildings on Friday.
ALL #TVDSB schools and office buildings will be closed tomorrow, Dec 23, due to the predicted winter storm. On-site Child Care Centres and Before/After School Programs will also be closed. There will be no learning activities taking place on Friday, including remote learning. pic.twitter.com/e4YZZlH4EM
— Thames Valley DSB (@TVDSB) December 22, 2022
The Catholic school board initially said its decision would be made on Friday morning. However, LDCSB ended up making the announcement early so families would have time to prepare, according to an email sent to school board staff.
Based on the blizzard, snow accumulation and high winds forecast for tomorrow, the LDCSB has made the proactive decision to close all schools and buildings on Friday, December 23, 2022. pic.twitter.com/fTwBVzjVjw
— London District Catholic School Board (@LDCSB) December 22, 2022
Quite a few school boards across Ontario have taken similar precautions as the province prepares for a weekend of brutal winter weather. Environment Canada has put all of southwestern Ontario under winter storm warnings, with some areas expecting blizzards.
Inclement weather is forecast to begin Thursday evening with precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Overnight, temperatures will drop significantly which could lead to flash freezing on Friday morning. Heavy winds and snow will then take hold and likely carry into Saturday.
Updated at 5:09 p.m.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Providence also announced that their schools in London-Middlesex and Oxford will be closed on Friday.
