Schools cancelled Tuesday as Calgary grapples with cold snap
Posted Dec 20, 2022 11:13 am.
Last Updated Dec 21, 2022 8:53 am.
A number of schools with the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) and Rocky View School District (RSV) have announced closures Tuesday as the city continues to experience its cold snap.
In a statement Tuesday, RVS says all its schools are closed, but adds that online classes with Discovery Trails School and Summit Trails High School remain open.
The CCSD says that its schools in Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane are closed due to the extreme cold and to prioritize student safety.
Due to the extreme cold and prioritizing student safety, CCSD schools in Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane will be closed today. Calgary schools are still currently open. (1/2)
— CCSD (@CCSD_edu) December 20, 2022
It also says buses have already been cancelled through Rocky View, adding that staff will continue to attend CCSD schools in Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane to “ensure there is a safe place for any students that get dropped off inadvertently.”
Buses have already been cancelled through Rockyview. Staff will still attend CCSD schools in Airdrie, Chestermere and Cochrane to ensure there is a safe place for any students that get dropped off inadvertently. (2/2)
— CCSD (@CCSD_edu) December 20, 2022
There’s no word if they will still be closed for Wednesday, but the cold snap is expected until the weekend.
Schools under the city’s public school board are not affected.
Cold snap and extreme cold warning for Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada has Calgary at -34 C with windchill Tuesday, along with high winds of up to 15 kilometres per hour. It adds frostbite can be experienced in minutes.
The federal weather agency announced an extreme cold warning Monday as temperatures hit around -43 C with windchill.
The cold is expected to continue throughout the week, “especially overnight and early morning hours.”
Natalie Haselle with Environment Canada says warnings are issued so people take precautions as this weather is hazardous if not properly prepared for. Young people, elderly people, and those with health conditions are most at risk.
“People who work outdoors may want to have a talk with management about breaks to warm up, and of course there are also the less fortunate – the homeless population,” Hassel said.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation says the city’s coordinated Extreme Weather Response is in full swing, with transportation to shelters and warming stations open throughout the city. Alpha House says they reached 105 per cent capacity overnight Sunday but have now eased up.
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According to data from Alberta’s Energy Service Operator (AESO), the province hit a record for energy use with 12,026 megawatts per hour on Monday, which was touted as a new peak hourly record by University of Calgary economics professor Blake Shaffer.
Woop, there it is…
Alberta just set a new peak hourly load record!
(this record likely to last only 1 hour…) pic.twitter.com/jJShiC8lXl
— Blake Shaffer ???????????? (@bcshaffer) December 20, 2022
The Calgary International Airport also saw numerous delays and cancellations, and Tuesday is more or less the same, with around 15 flights being cancelled in the morning.
-With files from Taylor Braat and Kenny Mason
