Sault Ste. Marie and Area Brace for Disruptions as Winter Storm Closes Schools, Businesses, and Services

A severe winter storm is causing widespread closures across Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area on Monday, March 16, 2026, impacting schools, businesses, and essential services. Heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions have prompted the decisions, with many facilities anticipating reopening on Tuesday, March 17, weather permitting.

School Closures

Both the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board have announced the closure of all schools and board facilities for the day. Employees are not expected to report to work. Sault College is too closed, with all in-person classes and activities cancelled, including offsite operations and student placements.

Business and Service Disruptions

A significant number of businesses and services have announced closures or adjusted hours. These include:

• Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig: Closed on Monday.
• Algoma University: Closed on Monday due to weather.
• HART Hub: Open for essential services only; full services expected to resume Tuesday.
• CMHA Algoma: All counselling, case management, and outreach services closed Monday.
• Sault Community Career Centre: Closed Monday.
• District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB): All offices and child care programs closed Monday.
• Harvest Algoma: Closed Monday, resuming regular hours Tuesday.
• United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District: Office closed Monday, reopening Tuesday.
• Canadian Red Cross: Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa offices closed Monday.
• Kumon Math and Reading Centre: Closed Monday.
• Group Health Centre (GHC): All in-person appointments cancelled Monday.
• Algoma Business Computers: Closed Monday.
• Belisle Law: Closed Monday.
• Sault Ste. Marie Gymnastics Club: Closed Monday, including March Break Day Camp.
• Riverside Christian Children’s Centre: Closed Monday.
• Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services: All clinics closed Monday, including locations in several First Nations communities.
• YMCA Sault Ste. Marie: All locations closed Monday.
• Station Tower Optometry: Closed Monday.
• Dental Office of Dr. Glibota and Dr. Brescacin: Closed Monday.
• Suraci & Olszewski LLP: Closed Monday.
• Algoma District Services Administration Board (ADSAB): Offices in Wawa, Thessalon, Blind River, Elliot Lake, and Little Rapids closed Monday.
• Our Driving School: Monday class cancelled, rescheduled for Wednesday.
• Child Care Algoma: All programs closed Monday.
• CI Assante Wealth Management: Office closed Monday.
• Feifel Gualazzi Personal Injury Law Firm: Office closed Monday.
• Waabinong Head Start Family Services: Closed Monday.
• Sault Community Health Centre: Closed all day.
• Quality Cleaners and Parkway Cleaners: Both locations closed Monday.
• Country Style: Restaurant closed Monday.
• Municipality of Huron Shores: Office closed to in-person services Monday; snowplow operations temporarily suspended.
• Tomlinson Law: Office closed Monday.
• Children’s Aid Society of Algoma: All offices closed; emergency services available.
• Dr. Joanna Lamberts and Dr. Hayden Murray Dentistry: Offices closed Monday.
• THRIVE Child Development Centre: All services cancelled Monday.
• Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic: Clinic closed Monday.
• Pim Street Dental: Office closed Monday.
• Esquire Club: Closed Monday.
• Canpar Express: Closed Monday.
• IDA Pharmacy: Adjusted hours – Wellington Square, Urban Square, and Market Mall closing at 4 p.m.; Queenstown closing at 5 p.m.
• Shooters Downstairs Lounge: Closing early at 5 p.m. Monday.
• Alzheimer Society Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District: Office closed Monday.
• Algoma Public Health: All offices closed Monday; clinics, classes, and events rescheduled.

City Services Affected

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has cancelled garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, with collection postponed to the following Monday. Residents are advised to remove bins from the curb to aid snow-clearing efforts. Rankin Arena is also closed Monday evening.

Transit Operations

As of Monday afternoon, SooToday reported that transit services are still running.

Looking Ahead

Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather and travel advisories as the storm continues. Facilities are expected to resume normal operations on Tuesday, March 17, weather permitting.