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
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.