Closures and impacts of Significant Weather Event - December 29

In response to a major freezing rain event in the area, The County of Haliburton, the Township of Minden Hills, the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the Municipality of Highlands East, and the Municipality of Dysart et al declared a Significant Weather Event at 12:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This event is expected to impact travel and services throughout the County. This declaration is made pursuant to Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

This significant weather event has and will continue to impact Township operations over the next few days. Until conditions improve and the significant weather event ends, please check for updates and service impacts before attending Township facilities.

For Monday, December 29, 2025:

• All Township of Algonquin Highlands waste disposal sites are CLOSED
• The Dorset Recreation Centre is CLOSED

Municipal workforces will continue to provide maintenance operations, but for safety considerations, operations may need to be temporarily suspended. 

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) will be issued for the Stanhope Municipal Airport for no winter maintenance being performed. Fueling for emergency services will continue. Please visit the Townships website for contact information. 

Users of the roads and sidewalks within the Municipality are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to use caution if doing so. Please remain a safe distance back from maintenance equipment, and drive according to conditions.

Further notice will be provided when the event has ended.

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Monday, December 29, 2025 with the following weather hazard(s) for our region, issued Monday, December 29, 6:54 a.m:

Periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle this morning.

What: Freezing rain or freezing drizzle leading to icy surfaces. Additional ice accretion or build-up of a few millimetres possible.

When: Ending this morning.

Additional information: Freezing rain has tapered to much lighter precipitation. Patchy freezing drizzle or drizzle has developed as well as a few remaining areas of freezing rain. Temperatures will likely remain near the freezing mark this morning before falling later this morning. Precipitation is expected to change to flurries later this morning.

Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. Icy surfaces could be difficult to detect. Local utility outages are possible.