How to use it for York Region
The calculator opens on York Region, using the Richmond Hill climate station, with metric units. Enter tonight’s snow in centimetres, when it falls, any freezing rain, and the morning temperature and wind. The headline is the chance that buses and taxis are cancelled; the second line is the chance schools close too, which happened on January 26, 2026, after a record snowfall at Pearson, and rarely otherwise.
What York Region’s snow climate means
Richmond Hill averages about 151 cm of snow a year, and about 13 cm falls in one day roughly once a winter. Tonight’s snow is scored against that. With 10 cm ending overnight the calculator gives about a 60% chance buses are cancelled; 15 cm still falling while buses run pushes it to about 85%. Freezing rain matters as much as depth: even a glaze on untreated side streets can stop buses.
Georgina, on Lake Simcoe, often gets squalls the southern cities miss. Since the 2026 pilot, the transportation office can cancel the Georgina area alone, so if you live north of Ravenshoe Road and the snow is lake-effect, expect a higher chance than the result shows.
After you check
At 6 a.m., look at schoolbuscity.com (it doesn’t load from every network) or your board’s website; YRDSB’s severe weather page lists the other channels. If buses are cancelled, schools are normally open, but tests are off for the day.
York Region: the numbers the calculator uses
| Snow in an average year | 151 cm (59 in) |
|---|---|
| One-day snowfall reached about once a winter (the snow tolerance) | 13 cm (5 in) |
| Average winter low, December to February | −8 °C (17 °F) |
| Climate station | Richmond Hill, ECCC Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 |
| Headline outcome | Buses cancelled (schools usually stay open) |
| Cold rule | No published rule found; the calculator estimates about −35 °C (−30 °F) wind chill. |
| Official call | Student Transportation Services of York Region: The decision is made by 6:00 a.m. YRDSB: “Schools will remain open unless otherwise stated, even when buses have been cancelled.” |