Extreme weather and bus challenges shut down schools in Kuujjuaq

Both the elementary and secondary schools in Kuujjuaq closed Wednesday afternoon due to extreme cold and strong winds.

Pitakallak, the elementary school, announced on Facebook Wednesday that in addition to weather challenges, there was only one school bus available to transport students.

There’s no school for students at Jaanimmarik secondary school either on Wednesday afternoon, but staff from both establishments are required to go in, the post said.

Kuujjuaq has been experiencing cold conditions since the weekend. Wind southwest was gusting to 50 km/h Wednesday afternoon, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The wind chill, which was -43 C Wednesday morning, had risen to -36 C by the afternoon but the forecast continued to warn of risk of frostbite in minutes.