Cancellations, closures as Hamilton and Burlington brace for 20 cm of snow

Cancellations and closures are mounting across the Hamilton and Burlington area as the cities brace for a storm forecasted to dump up to 20 cm of snow through the day and into the evening.

GO Transit has announced that all route 16 buses, which is the Hamilton QEW express bus to Toronto, are cancelled.

"All Route 16 #GObuses have been cancelled until further notice due to winter storm conditions causing reduced visibility and hazardous road conditions," Metrolinx said in a tweet. "Please check for the latest updates before leaving for your trip."

Here's a list of other closures so far:

• GO trains are delayed by a few minutes between Aldershot and Union Station. See the latest updates.
• Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board will close all its buildings as of 6 p.m. All community uses of schools, adult education and other rentals are cancelled. All school child care programs will stay open until all children are picked up, recognizing that some parents will be delayed. The cancellation includes the boar's monthly meeting.
• The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board offices will close at 6 p.m. Programs such as athletics and clubs, St. Charles International Languages, Junior Vocal Festival rehearsal and community use of school rentals.
• Mohawk College is closing at 4 p.m., all classes and events are cancelled.
• McMaster University is closing at 5 p.m., and all evening classes and events are cancelled.
• The Hamilton Public Library is closing at 7 p.m. This includes Power Up Monday, study hall hours and extended access.
• The Sexual Assault Centre (SACHA) will close as of 3 p.m. Anyone in need of immediate support is asked to call the 24 Hour Support Line at 905-525-4162.
• The Burlington Soccer Club has also cancelled all of its Monday night programs.
• An information session about the new Parkside Cemetery scheduled to take place at Dundas Town Hall has also been postponed.
• The Red Hill Family Centre will be sending children who use the taxi service home early.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens is closing its Spiders Exhibit as of 4 p.m. and shutting down the Rock Garden as of shortly after 3 p.m.
• Hamilton International Airport and Pearson Airport are both advising passengers to check with their airline for flight arrival and departure information.
• Click here for a complete list of cancellations in Hamilton.

The HSR is continuing to operate, but cautions riders to leave extra time for travel Monday because of the road conditions.

Hamilton rec centres and arenas are staying open tonight and no programs are cancelled. The exception is for any programs operated in public school board facilities. Those centres are: Riverdale, Laurier, Churchill, Ryerson, Dalewood, MacNab and Hill Park.

The new storm comes arrives as the area is still digging out from a storm last week.

Last week's winter storm dropped about 40 cm of snow on Ancaster, more than doubling the 15 cm measured at the Hamilton airport and nearby Mississauga, which saw 10 cm.

But before rains and warmer temperatures could melt off much of the white stuff, winter was back again with a vengeance.

On Monday morning Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for the area with 15 to 20 cm of snow likely today and through the evening as an Alberta Clipper rolls through the region.

Commuters are cautioned to expect slippery road conditions as the snow piles up.

On-street parking is banned in Burlington until further notice after the city declared on Monday a winter snow event.

The city suspends on-street parking during snowstorms to allow plows to clear local roads.

Wondering what's been cleared so far? Check out this map.

Give snow removal crews plenty of room

Hamilton is also calling on people to take extra steps to help keep roads clear.

Residents are reminded to drive safely, give snow removal crews lots of room to operate and park off the street if possible.