Ottawa was brought to a standstill Monday by a record snowstorm. It closed schools, vaccination clinics, COVID-19 testing locations, cancelled garbage and recycling collection, and disrupted air and vehicle travel.
The Ottawa Airport had officially seen 47 cm as of 5 p.m., according to Environment Canada, eclipsing the record snowfall for Jan. 17 of 11.7 cm, set in 1972. Twelve centimetres were recorded in just one hour, between 8 and 9 a.m.
“We haven’t seen anything (like that) this year. “In the worst-case scenario, it’s possible to get as much snow as you’ve ever had all winter,” David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climateologist, said on CTV Morning Live.
Environment Canada issued a warning about blizzards in Ottawa after issuing an earlier warning about winter storms. The weather agency predicted snowfall of 25 to 40 cm, with some areas receiving up to 50 cm.
At around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the blizzard warning was changed to a winter storm advisory. As accumulation began to slow down, the warning was renamed to “Blizzard Warning”.
“Snow still possible heavy at times,” the warning warned. “Local blowing snow caused by wind gusts up to 60 km/h will significantly reduce visibility.”
The city has warned snowplows will not begin clearing residential streets until Monday evening at 7 p.m. It could take up two days to clear all residential streets. The cleanup could cost as much as $5 million, said Jim Watson, Ottawa mayor.
Mayor Jim Watson said Monday that “every street cannot be plowed first.” “People will tweet me throughout the day saying my street isn’t being plowed. Unfortunately, we must prioritize.
Newstalk 580 CFRA reported that Ottawa police responded to 24 collisions between 5-11 a.m., one of which involved two OC Transpo buses.
Over the last ten day, Ottawa has been confronted with extreme cold, and now with extreme amounts of snow. C.A.A.A. North & East CEO Jeff Walker said that operators were flooded with more then 10,000 calls.
At 8:30 a.m., there were 300 calls in line so it was busy. They were also doing 120 calls per hour. Walker said that on Hwy 416, which runs between Ottawa, Kemptville, more than 60 cars were in the ditch.
He said that it can take time to respond to every situation.
Triage is what we do on days like today. It’s cold out there and dangerous so we get there first. Then we get to the people in their driveways and homes.
C.A.A. recommends having a roadside kit that includes a flashlight, reflector, gloves, and booster cables. To keep warm in the event of a vehicle stalling or becoming stuck on the road, you will need a shovel and blanket.
Because of poor visibility and road conditions, the OPP closed Highway 7 between September 2007 and March 2008. Many vehicles ended up in the ditch. Police said it on Twitter.
At least two fatal crashes were reported in eastern Ontario.
The Ottawa City Council has placed a 24-hour ban on parking, which is effective from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 p.m. Thursday. The Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been closed. The city has also cancelled garbage, recycling, and green bin collection for the day. Due to the storm, COVID-19 testing locations were closed early.
“It’s a quick hitter,” Phillips said, noting the snow will be heavy in the morning and end by 9 p.m. “Later tonight, it will be a memory and we’ll just be cleaning it over the next day or two.”
Phillips states that Ottawa saw 50 cm of snow in 2016.
According to Environment Canada, the reason there is 20 to 40 cm of snow forecasted for this season is because of “any kind or wobble” in the system.
Phillips stated that “Maybe it’ll come a little farther west and we will see the 40 (cm), so there’s a wide range.” It is unique and has its own character. As it passes through our area, it won’t necessarily follow a straight line.
Ottawa received just 5 cm of snow on January 1, after 38.6cm in December.
OTTAWA AIRPORT
26 departures were cancelled at Ottawa International Airport as of 1:45 p.m.
Numerous flights were also delayed.
Air Canada and Ottawa International Airport advised passengers to check their flight status before they travel to the airport.
OTTAWA FORECAST
Environment Canada states that snow should be gone by Monday night. However there is still a chance of snow lingering into the evening. Temperatures will drop to minus 16 C with wind chills of minus 20, and a low of minus 20.
The sky should clear by morning, which will lead to a sunny Tuesday. Low of minus 14 C and wind chill close to minus 24.
More snow is forecast Tuesday night through Wednesday. Highs below 2 C
Thursday’s outlook is sunny, with a high of 18 C.
–With files by CTV News Ottawa’s Matt Skube (Stef Keyes and Tyler Fleming), and Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Kristy Cam.