Snowstorm smothering Ottawa area this morning, forcing more closures
All school buses and some classes cancelled, Ottawa's O-Train affected
The latest:
- 27 centimetres of snow at the Ottawa International Airport as of 9 a.m.
- There have been frequent O-Train delays.
- Many schools are closed, mostly outside of Ottawa.
- Snow expected to taper off from late morning until evening.
Ottawa-Gatineau's in the midst of a significant snowstorm affecting travel and schools Thursday.
There are winter storm and snowfall warnings in place for all of eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
The most serious warning is for eastern Ontario along the Ottawa River as far south as Bancroft, Perth and Russell. As of about 5:15 a.m. forecasters predicted 10 to 20 more centimetres of snowfall.
The Ottawa International Airport recorded 27 centimetres of snow by 9 a.m., according to Environment Canada. That makes it the biggest snowfall this season.
South of Ottawa, communities such as Alexandria, Cornwall, Tweed, Westport and Winchester should get 10 to 15 more centimetres.
The rest of the Highway 401 corridor, including Belleville, Brockville and Kingston and Prince Edward County, have the snowfall warning of about five to 10 more centimetres of snow and possible ice pellets.
Prince Edward County could get two to five more centimetres and the same possible ice pellets. Winds there could gust up to 90 kilometres an hour this afternoon and evening.
Western Quebec is still expected to get 25 to 40 centimetres of snow total, sometimes heavy and blowing.
Timing-wise, the storm had started by 6 p.m. Wednesday at CFB Trenton and by 9 p.m. at the Ottawa airport.
It should end Thursday morning in Prince Edward County, taper off in the afternoon in the rest of eastern Ontario and could end Thursday evening in western Quebec.
Environment Canada meteorologist Trudy Kidd said this will be the biggest winter storm to hit Ottawa since nearly 48 centimetres fell on Jan. 17, 2022.
Cancellations and changes
Some schools took the rare precaution of closing Thursday.
All four western Quebec school service centres have cancelled classes.
So have eastern Ontario's Upper Canada board, both English boards in Renfrew County and French boards CEPEO and CSDCEO.
No school buses are running in the region.
Algonquin College announced that in-person classes were cancelled on Thursday at its Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth campuses. Loyalist College has also suspended in-person classes and activities.
Ottawa's O-Train has announced a few line and platform closures during the storm and commuters, including some CBC employees, experienced others.
OC Transpo has reduced bus service Thursday because of the forecast. It wasn't proactively cutting train service but said to expect delays.
Kingston has scaled back transit Thursday morning.
The City of Ottawa has winter parking bans in place for Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some city parking lots will be made available.
Many flights are affected at the Ottawa International Airport. Via Rail says the storm may delay trains.
Many services and businesses are choosing to open later Thursday or not at all.
Ottawa recreation and culture programs and services, including rentals, are cancelled on Thursday until at least 4 p.m., the city said. Its curbside garbage and recycling collection will not be affected.
Travel changes
As of around 6 a.m. almost every major local roads was listed as snow-covered by Ontario and Quebec's transportation ministries. Visibility is affected by snow in many areas.
Environment Canada recommends avoiding travel under eastern Ontario's winter storm warnings and to be ready to adjust driving styles elsewhere.
Motorists who must travel should tell someone about their plans before setting out. They're also advised to charge their cell phones and have food, water, a flashlight and medical supplies including medication and a first aid kit on hand.
Const. Shawn Peever with the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP said drivers should slow down, leave plenty of space between vehicles, clear their vehicles of snow and keep scrapers, washer fluid and a small shovel on hand.