On Thursday, March 12, 2026, thousands of students across Quebec woke up to the news that their schools might be closed. A powerful freezing rain storm (tempête de verglas) swept through several regions including Montreal and Montérégie, causing widespread power outages, icy roads, and transportation disruptions.
The situation quickly led to multiple school closures, delayed openings, and service interruptions, affecting both French and English school boards across the province.
In this article, we’ll break down what happened, why schools were closed, which school boards were affected, and what the weather forecast means for the coming days.
Why Schools Were Closed on March 12, 2026
The primary reason for school closures was a major freezing rain event that covered much of southern Quebec. Freezing rain accumulated overnight, coating roads, sidewalks, vehicles, and power lines with thick layers of ice.
This caused several problems:
- Dangerous road conditions for buses and commuters
- Falling tree branches due to heavy ice
- Power outages affecting homes and schools
- Public transportation disruptions
More than 175,000 households across Quebec lost electricity, forcing authorities and school boards to close buildings for safety reasons.
In some areas, outages even exceeded 200,000 homes without power, which made normal school operations impossible in many communities.
List of School Boards and Schools Closed
Several school service centers and boards announced closures or disruptions. Among the affected institutions were:
Major School Boards
- Lester B. Pearson School Board
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
- English Montreal School Board
- Riverside School Board
- New Frontiers School Board
French School Service Centres
- Centre de services scolaire des Affluents
- Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys
- Centre de services scolaire de Montréal
- Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes
- Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Île
- Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles
Some schools and educational centers confirmed complete closures, while others announced remote learning or delayed openings depending on electricity restoration.
Montreal Transportation Disruptions
The storm didn’t only affect schools. Transportation networks were also impacted.
Montreal’s REM light-rail system experienced service interruptions due to ice accumulation on infrastructure. Service between Gare Centrale and Brossard was temporarily disrupted while maintenance crews worked to restore operations.
Bus routes and commuter travel were also slowed by slippery roads and fallen branches.
Hydro-Québec Power Outages
The provincial electricity provider Hydro-Québec reported tens of thousands of customers without electricity early Thursday morning.
Regions hardest hit included:
- Montérégie
- Montreal
- South Shore communities
- Parts of rural Quebec
Utility crews were dispatched across the province to repair damaged power lines and restore electricity.
Power outages are one of the main reasons schools close during winter storms because:
- Buildings cannot operate heating systems
- Lighting and safety systems fail
- Internet and school networks stop functioning
Weather Forecast for March 12 and Beyond
Weather experts predicted the storm would bring 20–30 mm of freezing rain across several areas of Quebec.
While the heaviest precipitation occurred overnight, the aftermath included:
- lingering ice on roads
- dangerous walking conditions
- continued power outages
Authorities advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay updated on local alerts.
Cold temperatures following the storm may slow down cleanup and recovery operations.
What Parents and Students Should Do
If you live in Quebec and are wondering whether your school is closed, it is recommended to:
- Check your school board’s official website or social media pages
- Listen to local news updates in the morning
- Monitor Hydro-Québec outage maps
- Follow weather updates for road conditions
Many school boards make closure decisions early in the morning (around 5–6 AM) depending on weather and transportation safety.
Safety Tips During Freezing Rain
Freezing rain storms can be extremely dangerous. Here are a few precautions:
✔ Walk carefully to avoid slipping
✔ Avoid parking under trees or power lines
✔ Keep flashlights and charged devices ready in case of outages
✔ Drive only if necessary
The March 12, 2026 Quebec ice storm demonstrates how severe winter weather can quickly disrupt daily life. Between school closures, power outages, and transportation delays, thousands of families across the province were affected.
As conditions improve and electricity is restored, most schools are expected to resume normal operations soon. However, authorities continue to monitor weather and infrastructure conditions to ensure student safety.
