Ottawa is reeling from one of the most significant snowstorms of the season after being blanketed with over 30 centimeters of snow this past weekend. The winter storm, which began overnight on Saturday and continued through Sunday evening, disrupted travel and prompted city officials to implement emergency measures.
The snowstorm, described by Environment Canada as the biggest of the season, led to hazardous travel conditions with visibility reduced to near zero at times due to heavy and blowing snow. Wind speeds reached up to 60 kilometers per hour, making road conditions dangerous for drivers.
On Sunday afternoon, the total snowfall reached 34 centimeters at the Ottawa airport and 29 centimeters at the Gatineau airport. Residents were advised to delay non-essential travel until conditions improved. "We know operations will be slow going today, and residents are reminded to be patient and understand it will be challenging to get around the city during this event and beyond," stated Jake Gravelle, area manager for the City of Ottawa.
With the danger of collisions and delays mounting, Ottawa's emergency command center was activated to coordinate city-wide response efforts. Gravelle emphasized the importance of treating roadways and sidewalks, stating, "Supervisors will be monitoring the conditions of the transportation network throughout the day, and all resources have been deployed. Crews will continue to treat sidewalks, arterial roads, and the winter cycling network."
Despite the challenging conditions, there were no major collisions reported as of Sunday afternoon. The Ontario Provincial Police had responded to 37 collisions on monitored roads since the outbreak of the storm, but fortunately, no injuries arose from these incidents. Residents were urged to stay safe by not shoveling snow onto roadways or bike lanes, which would slow down snow-clearing operations.
Public transport was not spared from the storm's inconveniences. OC Transpo was running its regular Sunday service but warned passengers about delays. Several immobilized buses were put back on the road quickly throughout the day. "Buses are operating as intended, but like everyone else on the road, delays are expected due to poor weather conditions," said OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar in her memo to city council.
Flight operations at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport were also heavily impacted. By Sunday afternoon, FlightAware reported 53 cancellations, along with 36 flight delays, as crews worked tirelessly to keep runways clear. Passengers planning to travel were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
To help facilitate snow removal and plowing, the city put winter parking bans in effect at 10:00 AM on Sunday, restricting parking on city streets to enable snow removal crews to work efficiently. Any vehicles remaining parked on streets during this timeframe were liable to be ticketed or towed, with some exemptions for monthly parking permit holders. "The extension to the standard winter weather parking ban is important for the support of our operations," Gravelle stressed. Alternative parking sites were made available for residents during the parking ban, according to reports.
Starting from Sunday morning, road crews continued to focus on plowing major roadways, but the swift rate of snowfall made effective clearing challenging. Bryden Denyes, area manager of special operations, remarked on the intensity of the conditions, stating, "This will be a scenario where when we plow a road or sidewalk, it may not look like we plowed anything due to the rapid accumulation of snow." The pace of cleanup would require multiple passes for full effectiveness due to snowfall rates and high winds.
Concerns also arose over potential safety hazards inside homes. Ottawa Fire Services alerted the public to check their carbon monoxide alarms as heavy snow had covered hot water and furnace vents, keeping the dangerous gas inside. Residents were advised to take preventative measures to safeguard against exposure.
Despite the severe weather forecast expected to persist, city officials remained vigilant. A winter storm warning remained effective until the storm passed, with additional snowfall projected overnight. Citizens were encouraged to sign up for e-alerts on the city’s website to stay informed about updated parking bans and other relevant information.
The snowfall has begun to diminish as the city transitions from responding to winter weather to cleaning up. The focus will now shift to clearing city sidewalks, residential streets, and ensuring transport networks are operational as conditions improve. Collaboratively, city officials will monitor the forecast for future snowfall, ensuring timely updates on parking bans and operations.