Montreal's first snow removal operation of the season begins tonight
After the snow comes the work to clear it.
The City of Montreal announced Monday that its first snow removal operation of the season is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Some 2,200 plows and other snow removal vehicles will be deployed to remove the snow from the city’s 10,000 kilometres of streets, sidewalks and bike paths.
Spreading and clearing operations have already begun, as workers lay the groundwork for the massive task.
The clock is ticking as temperatures are expected to drop from Monday's high of 8 C to minus 3 C by the morning on Tuesday.
"Every slush, every bit of water or snow that won't be shovelled up, will hard freeze, of course," said Environment Canada meteorologist Jean-Philippe Begin.
The city is reminding Montrealers to steer clear of snow operations, whether you’re in a car, on a bike or on foot.
Drivers must keep a close eye on parking signage during snow-clearing operations. In general, signs prohibiting parking from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. go up on the same day before 3 p.m., and signs prohibiting parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. go up on the previous day before 8 p.m.
If you don’t obey the signage, expect your car to get towed and a fine to go along with it.
Pedestrians and cyclists should use caution around snow removal vehicles, which have large blind spots.
Don’t assume a driver can see you and remember that trucks will often move forward and backward to clear the snow. Stay visible, make eye contact with the driver and maintain a distance. If possible, stand back and let the vehicle complete its work and leave the area before proceeding.
Don’t clutter sidewalks with bags or bins, and park 30 centimetres from the sidewalk to allow room for the machinery. Remember that people with lowered mobility need access to the sidewalks, so keep them clear.
Environment Canada is forecasting slightly more precipitation than normal this winter and warmer temperatures than what we're used to.
With files from CTV News' Billy Shields.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.