Montreal

Don't get towed: Montreal's snow removal operation is on

After the Montreal area was pelted with 25 centimetres of snow over the weekend, city workers began the snow removal operation at 7 p.m. Monday.

City offers more than 2,000 free parking spots in certain lots between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Montreal drivers are urged to watch for no-parking signs like this one and move their vehicles to avoid being towed and to speed up snow-clearing operations. (Isaac Olson/CBC)

After the Montreal area was pelted with 25 centimetres of snow over the weekend, city workers began the snow removal operation at 7 p.m. Monday.

While snow clearing continues, residents should avoid street parking if at all possible, and they must obey the temporary 'no parking' signs that have cropped up around the city, according to city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin.

The snow removal could take up to one week to complete, he said. 

He added that citizens can get updates on the snow removal operation via the city's Info-Neige app, which will provide details about which areas are being cleared and when.

Environment Canada calls for a low of -20 C on Monday but that could feel as cold as -33 C with windchill. (Charles Contant/CBC)

The app, which had nearly 273,000 users last winter, notifies residents about parking restrictions and tells them where they can park overnight for free. 

The city offers more than 2,000 free parking spots in certain lots between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Go to the city's website or the app to find them.

Storm causes closures, cancellations

About 50 primary and secondary schools in the Eastern Townships were closed Monday morning. Another 50 were closed in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, along with at least one in the Lanaudière region. 

In Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 77 schools were closed, along with another 27 in the Lower St. Lawrence. Another 27 are closed on the North Shore.

With files from Radio-Canada