Winter storm blankets several areas of Quebec, including Montreal
Get those shovels ready, because a whole lot of snow has hit Quebec.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a winter storm warning on Sunday for the Greater Montreal Area with as much as 25 centimetres of snow expected in total.
After a dump of snow Monday morning, another five to 10 centimetres of snow are expected Monday afternoon before tapering off to flurries in the evening, ending at midnight.
- IN PICTURES: Major winter snowstorm wallops Montreal
The snow started falling Monday morning, and ECCC warns that strong winds are accompanying that snow, making visibility near zero.
“The snow is falling at a pretty steady rate and we've also got gusty winds creating blowing snow and reducing visibility on the roads,” said CTV weather specialist Lori Graham. “Of course winds are a factor and that's reduced visibility at times to about 400 metres in some areas.”
Winds from the northeast are blowing at 40 kilometres per hour, gusting close to 60 km/h, making the -5 Celsius temperature feel more like -16 C.
"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow," ECCC wrote.
Another round of snow is on the way for Wednesday, with about five centimetres expected for Montreal.
A man pushes a stroller during a winter snowstorm in Montreal on Monday, January 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A man pushes a stroller during a winter snowstorm in Montreal on Monday, January 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
SNOW CLEARING IN MONTREAL
A snow clearing operation is underway in the City of Montreal, with snow removal to follow and expected to take about a week.
“The operation started last night by spreading salt, and rocks on the roads and sidewalks. This morning, We had 1,000 workers, the 1000 trucks on the road to push the snow aside and do extra salt, extra little rocks in order to ease your movements,” said City of Montreal spokesperson Philippe Sabourin.
Sabourin had some tips for anyone parking on city streets to help facilitate the snow clearing process.
“The city will need the cooperation of everyone. Please park your car 30 centimetres away from the sidewalk,” to allow enough room for workers to complete the snow clearing process. “Leave us some clearance on the sidewalks also and slow down your speed.”
SCHOOLS CLOSED, MAIL DELIVERY POSTPONED
A huge number of schools and daycares in the Montreal region told students to stay home on the first day of the winter term.
Canada Post issued a red delivery service alert for Quebec and no mail carriers will be delivering mail on Monday.
"Delivery will resume once conditions improve and it’s safe to do so," Canada Post said. "The safety of our employees is our number one priority."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
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.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.