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
BREAKING NEWS 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.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
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.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
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.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'