Severe winter weather is wreaking havoc across Eastern Canada. Freezing rain, strong winds, and blizzard conditions have led to multiple weather alerts. As of Monday morning, orange alerts, the second-highest warning level, are active in Ontario, Quebec, and parts of Nova Scotia.
Blizzard Conditions in Ontario and Quebec
Blizzard conditions are being reported in Northern Ontario and Quebec. Areas such as Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Val d’Or are experiencing heavy snowfall combined with strong winds.
- North and south shores of the eastern St. Lawrence in Quebec are forecasted to receive 40 to 60 centimeters of snow.
- Montreal and Ottawa are expecting up to 15 millimeters of ice accretion due to freezing rain.
- Wind speeds may reach up to 90 km/h in Montreal, causing additional travel difficulties.
The winter storm has already left thousands without power in Ontario and Quebec.
The Situation in Ontario
In Toronto, London, and regions around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Environment and Climate Change Canada warns of dangerous snow squalls. An initial snow squall is anticipated, followed by a significant drop in temperature, resulting in hazardous travel conditions.
Ryan Pilon, the owner of a snow removal business in Timmins, reported starting plowing operations at 2 a.m. Monday. He stated, “It’s pretty much whiteout conditions, with a couple of feet of snow on the highways.” He described the situation as very difficult and unsafe.
Travel Disruptions Across the Region
Travel plans have been significantly affected. A number of flights at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport and Toronto’s Pearson Airport have faced cancellations or delays. Reports indicate that roughly 12% of flights in Montreal have been impacted, while Toronto saw over 60 delays and around 10 cancellations.
Via Rail has also been affected, cancelling morning trains on its Quebec City-Windsor route. They have rescheduled several afternoon trains to accommodate affected passengers.
Emergency Services Strained in Montreal
In Montreal, a thick layer of ice has made streets and sidewalks treacherous. Urgences-santé, the local ambulance service, reported receiving over 100 emergency calls per hour, primarily regarding injuries from falls on ice.
Spokesperson Valérie Guertin urged residents to remain indoors if possible and to wear crampons if they must venture outside. Emergency crews are managing the calls effectively but request to only call 911 for serious injuries.
Impact in the Maritimes
Across the Maritimes, Environment and Climate Change Canada warns of extreme winds of up to 140 km/h in northern Nova Scotia. Many areas are under yellow warnings for freezing rain that could lead to localized flooding.
The winter storm continues to move across the region, affecting travel and everyday life for residents of Eastern Canada.
