Ottawa's massive snowstorm, in pictures
Photos from Tuesday's big storm capture commuter frustration, beauty of winter
Commuters in Ottawa and across eastern Ontario knew what was coming Tuesday morning, but the reality was actually even worse as 51.2 centimetres of snow fell by the end of the day in the capital.
So, naturally, some people made alternate arrangements.
Skiing down the sidewalk on Somerset St W during the Ottawa snowstorm via <a href="https://twitter.com/JackpineCo">@JackpineCo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sidewalkski?src=hash">#sidewalkski</a> <a href="https://t.co/njBB32CNLl">pic.twitter.com/njBB32CNLl</a>
—@CBCOttawaThe only way to travel on a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/snowday?src=hash">#snowday</a>! Dog sledding through the streets of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash">#Ottawa</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/BlacksWeather">@BlacksWeather</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/weathernetwork">@weathernetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/a8i3gH5SIu">pic.twitter.com/a8i3gH5SIu</a>
—@NancyFromCanadaTY <a href="https://twitter.com/CalabogiePeaks">@CalabogiePeaks</a> & mother nature for one of the best ski days in memory. Knee deep in the east. Fantastic powder. <a href="https://t.co/SHdf9v45OS">pic.twitter.com/SHdf9v45OS</a>
—@ChiefMNolanRough commute in morning and afternoon
But for those stuck going to work, roads and conditions were a mess early.
1:25 pm. Bus stuck. Rideau and Dalhousie. Pic from A. Robertson. 29cm and counting folks. <a href="https://t.co/ZovMQqp5OO">pic.twitter.com/ZovMQqp5OO</a>
—@BlacksWeather<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Traffic?src=hash">#Traffic</a>: Ottawa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HWY417?src=hash">#HWY417</a> near Woodroffe, traffic is slow moving due to weather conditions. Use caution <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/traffic?src=hash">#traffic</a> <a href="https://t.co/xjUexCuTxN">pic.twitter.com/xjUexCuTxN</a>
—@511OntarioThe afternoon commute was actually worse, with massive delays at OC Transpo stations.
Great shot by J.P. Unger of the Slater Station bus stop swarm... <a href="https://t.co/js02l0uK3p">pic.twitter.com/js02l0uK3p</a>
—@cbcallinadayGatineau police responded to emergencies on snowmobiles.
Nos policiers patrouillent et interviennent partout à <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gatineau?src=hash">#Gatineau</a>, même en motoneige! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/temp%C3%AAte?src=hash">#tempête</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/neige?src=hash">#neige</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/snowday?src=hash">#snowday</a> <a href="https://t.co/t6y4wjDN7X">pic.twitter.com/t6y4wjDN7X</a>
—@PoliceGatineauA snow-covered city
Still, for those who took the time to notice, the city was a beautiful place once it was wrapped in a snow-white blanket.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/snowfilter?src=hash">#snowfilter</a> <a href="https://t.co/cqPjhPJTAj">pic.twitter.com/cqPjhPJTAj</a>
—@amkfooteYou can barely see the parliament buildings. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hw?src=hash">#hw</a> <a href="https://t.co/awKXD1aAoE">pic.twitter.com/awKXD1aAoE</a>
—@HannahThibedeauLook at all those windshield wipers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/otttraffic?src=hash">#otttraffic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottweather?src=hash">#ottweather</a> <a href="https://t.co/SGPpvMb9wT">pic.twitter.com/SGPpvMb9wT</a>
—@CodrougeNew record snowfall
51.2 centimetres of fresh snow was recorded at the Ottawa airport at the end of day Tuesday, breaking a previous single-day record of 40.6 cm, which was set on March 2, 1947.
The snow continues from morning into Tuesday evening.
Snow <a href="https://t.co/MmCAnmmrfv">pic.twitter.com/MmCAnmmrfv</a>
—@RosieBartonI used to have a porch and 4 steps down. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash">#Ottawa</a> <a href="https://t.co/vLo4PSAfKV">pic.twitter.com/vLo4PSAfKV</a>
—@FailedProtostar