Day 2: Season’s biggest snowstorm expected to end later Sunday

Article content

The capital region has reached the halfway point of the biggest storm of the season.

But Environment Canada cautions the worst could be yet to come.

In a storm warning update issued just before 5 a.m., the weather agency says new snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 cm are expected.

The heaviest snow is expected this morning and afternoon. Winds will average 30 km/h, with frequent gusts to 50 km/h.

Article content

Conditions will rapidly deteriorate Sunday morning as a more significant area of snow and blowing snow arrives.

Travel will be hazardous and is not recommended due to accumulating snow and near-zero visibility at times.

“Local amounts up to 40 cm are possible over the Algonquin Highlands and eastern Ontario,” the warning says.

Despite the slick road conditions, there have been no major collisions reported.

The storm affected flights in and out of Ottawa International Airport, with more than half the early departures and arrivals marked as cancelled. Again, travellers should check ahead.

It will take days to dig out of the storm that started Saturday, the city has said.

There simply wasn’t enough time to get to it all ahead of this incoming snowstorm, said Jake Gravelle, area manager for the City of Ottawa.

“As the snow accumulates, there will be significant challenges for our operators to clear and treat the transportation network, and we know operations will be slow going. It is extremely important to be patient and understand that it will be challenging for everyone to get around the city during this event and beyond.”

Article content

Article content

The city’s public works department has activated its emergency command centre. Once accumulation begins, city crews will focus on treating and clearing sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network.

Parks maintenance workers will also be out in full force, clearing city facility parking lots and prioritizing fire and paramedic stations, as well as lots serving recreation centres.

“We know that we will not be meeting our winter maintenance timeline objectives, so the significant weather event remains in effect as snow clearing and treating operations will take longer than usual,” Gravelle said.

The winter parking ban was to take effect starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday and to remain in place until the city issues an updated notice.

During this time, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in an exempted commercial main street.

Though eligible parking permit holders are exempt, the city encouraged those who could toy to find alternate parking during this time to prevent their vehicles from being snowed in.

Article content

The City of Ottawa has several parking lots available for residents to park in during a winter street parking ban. Vehicles may remain parked at these sites for the duration of the ban and must be removed after the city announces that the ban has been lifted. Information on all parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available online at Ottawa.ca/winterparking.

The City of Gatineau enacted on-street parking bans between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday and from midnight to 6 a.m. on Monday.

The Ontario Provincial Police have already urged people to cancel any “non-essential travel plans” this weekend.

“If you do have to be on the roads, adjust your driving. Slow down, leave extra distance and ensure you clear snow from your entire vehicle,” police said on X, formerly Twitter.

The forecast for Monday is mainly cloudy with a 60-per-cent chance of snow and a high of -9 C.

Tuesday’s forecast is mainly cloudy, with a high of -10 C.

Article content