Ottawa Snow Day Predictor — OCDSB & Ottawa Catholic School Closure Forecast
Ottawa Snow Day Predictor
Canada's most accurate snow day predictor
Will Ottawa Schools Be Closed Tomorrow?
Ottawa is Canada’s capital and one of its snowiest major cities. The city averages approximately 235 cm of snow per year — significantly more than Toronto and comparable to Quebec City. Ottawa’s position in the Ottawa Valley, combined with regular exposure to Alberta Clippers (fast-moving northern systems), Quebec-based nor’easters, and occasional Lake Ontario moisture-enhanced events, means the capital sees a diverse range of winter weather types across the season.
Ottawa’s four school boards — two English and two French — cover approximately 135,000 students across the city and surrounding areas. The boards serve a mix of dense urban areas and extensive suburban and semi-rural territory, meaning bus route safety is central to every closure decision.
Ottawa School Boards We Cover
- Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) — Ottawa’s largest board. ~50,000 students, 140+ schools. ocdsb.ca | Announces: by 5:30–6:00 AM | Radio: Newstalk 580 CFRA, CBC Ottawa | Twitter/X: @OCDSB
- Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) — Ottawa’s Catholic public board. ocsb.ca | Twitter/X: @OCSB
- Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) — French Catholic board, Ottawa and eastern Ontario. ecolecatholique.ca
- Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO) — French public board, eastern Ontario including Ottawa. cepeo.on.ca
Why Ottawa Gets More Snow Days Than Toronto
Ottawa receives roughly 100 cm more snow per year than Toronto and has a higher school closure rate for several reasons: its bus routes cover more semi-rural territory where roads are more exposed and less quickly ploughed; the Ottawa Valley corridor acts as a funnel that channels and intensifies snowfall from many storm tracks; and the presence of four independent boards (including two French-language boards) means closure coordination involves more decision-makers and more complex geographic coverage.
The Ottawa Valley’s geography also creates a local phenomenon: snowfall can be dramatically heavier on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River (Gatineau) than on the Ontario side on the same day, and vice versa, depending on storm track. This is why our Ottawa and Gatineau predictions are maintained separately.
Ottawa’s Snow Day History
Ottawa typically sees 5–8 school closure days per year. The capital’s worst winter weather years see 10+ closures. January and February are peak months. Notable event types include Alberta Clippers (fast-moving, brief but intense), St. Lawrence Valley snowbands, and freezing rain events that can arrive from the south as warmer air overrides the cold Ottawa Valley.
When Does the OCDSB Announce?
The OCDSB announces by 5:30–6:00 AM via ocdsb.ca, SchoolMessenger notifications, Newstalk 580 CFRA, and Twitter/X @OCDSB. The OCSB typically announces within 15–30 minutes of the OCDSB. The French boards (CECCE and CEPEO) announce independently and sometimes at slightly different times.
Nearby Communities Also Covered
- Gatineau Snow Day Predictor — CSS des Portages (Quebec side of the Ottawa River)
- Kingston Snow Day Predictor — Limestone DSB
Frequently Asked Questions — Ottawa Snow Days
Do all four Ottawa boards close on the same days?
Usually for major storms, but not always for borderline events. The OCDSB and OCSB are most likely to align. The French boards (CECCE and CEPEO) make independent decisions and occasionally differ from English boards even when covering overlapping geography. Always verify your specific board.
Does the Gatineau side (Quebec) close at the same time as Ottawa?
Not necessarily — Gatineau is covered by Quebec school boards that make independent decisions from Ottawa’s Ontario boards. Storm conditions can also differ between the Quebec and Ontario sides of the Ottawa River. Check the Gatineau predictor separately from Ottawa.