Severe weather conditions (Thermal Stress)

To ensure consistency city-wide, all school divisions in the City of Winnipeg adhere to the following guidelines from Environment Canada in making decisions regarding when students should remain indoors during extremely cold or hot weather. 

During an extreme wind chill warning, there will be fewer student patrols on post for shorter periods of time. 

During the year there may be times when inclement weather affects bus transportation and school opening. School bus transportation for all school divisions in the City of Winnipeg is cancelled when the wind chill reaches -45°C by 6:15 a.m. based on the 6:00 a.m. Environment Canada readings at the Forks, Winnipeg. The temperature readings can be found at the Environment Canada website. When bus transportation is cancelled in the morning, it will not resume later in the day even if weather conditions improve. All major Winnipeg media outlets are contacted in the early morning and are asked that they broadcast and/or post bus cancellation information and it is posted on winnipegsd.ca. 

It is very rare for schools to be closed due to weather, but in this case, the decision to close a school is made by the Chief Superintendent/CEO. The decision to close ALL schools is made by the Chief Superintendent/CEO (or designate) in consultation with all other metro-Winnipeg area superintendents and the Board of Trustees. 

Closed school announcements will be posted on the winnipegsd.ca website and broadcast by major Winnipeg media outlets. 

Humidex 

Humidex describes how the combination of temperature and humidity feels to the average person. The humidex combines the outside temperature and the humidity (dew point) into one number to reflect the perceived temperature. It is a measure of how hot we feel. The relation between humidex and comfort is subjective and varies widely between individuals. 

One or more of the following actions may be required when Environment Canada has issued a Humidex Advisory. A Humidex Advisory is issued when the air temperature is over 30°C and the Humidex is over 40°C. 

During a Humidex advisory:

• Principals make announcements throughout the day reminding staff and students of hydration needs. 
• A cool location is made available in the building to allow staff/students to cool down during break and lunch times. 
• Staff are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of heat stress, along with the causes, treatment and preventative action. 
• Activities are modified that involve physical exertion, exposure to sun and hot environments (rest periods, hydration, activity location change, and greater vigilance for heat stress symptoms should be considered) . 

Environmental Controls: 

• Windows and doors are opened to allow air to circulate where effective and applicable. 
• Portable fans are used to assist in circulating air. 
• Blinds, curtains, or reflective coatings on windows are used to reduce direct sunlight. 
• Staff and students may be relocated to a cooler location (e.g. third floor class moved to the first floor, cafeteria, library or outdoors). 
• Check the wind chill or the humidex/UV index before going outdoors. 

*In sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can occur faster than indicated. Environment Canada 

Weather Information 

Phone 204-983-2050 (recording updated hourly) Environment Canada Info Line for temperature, windchill factor, severe summer weather reporting
OR Internet Address: https://weather.gc.ca