Many schools closed, flights cancelled after winter storm hits southern Quebec
Montrealers are still digging themselves out of 28 cm of snow
Multiple winter storm, snowfall and extreme cold warnings remain in effect in many parts of the province Thursday after heavy snow and frigid temperatures hit much of southern Quebec overnight, leaving many schools closed and flights cancelled.
In Montreal, residents are still shoveling themselves out of the snow Thursday after the island was blanketed with more than 28 centimetres of snow. Meanwhile, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the greater Montreal area got between 25 and 30 centimetres of snow.
The snow caused multiple flight cancellations at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport beginning Wednesday night, with many flights grounded or delayed Thursday.
Travellers are advised to check for updates on their flights before leaving for the airport.
The city said the snowfall was Montreal's biggest of the season and warned it could take more than five days to clean it all up.
City spokesperson Philippe Sabourin said the first order of business was to clear and salt all 10,000 kilometres of roads and sidewalks.
Despite the difficult road conditions in Montreal, disappointed faces abounded for students hoping for a snow day. While schools across the city stayed open, some buses were delayed due to poor road conditions.
Meanwhile, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board closed three schools and the Eastern Townships School Board cancelled all of its classes.
Many schools were already closed in Quebec City, Lévis and the surrounding area. Schools were also closed on the North Shore and in the Gaspé region.
Environment Canada had forecast 15 to 25 centimetres of snow for multiple regions in the province including Montreal, the Laurentians, the Mauricie and Beauce regions and the Eastern Townships.
Snow-covered roads
The roads in Montreal, the Laurentians and Lanaudière are only partially cleared, and conditions may make driving difficult in some areas.
The city of Montreal began its snow-clearing operations at 7 a.m. this morning, starting with neighbourhoods in the eastern half of the city.
WATCH | Montrealer busts out the skis to get around the street slopes:
Road conditions in Montreal saw Highways 20 and 40 on the West Island snow-covered this morning while conditions on both thoroughfares improved west of Highway 15. Highways 10 and 30 on the South Shore were snow-covered and conditions varied on Highway 132. Highway 20 was reported as being partially covered with snow.
Moving east toward Quebec City, the situation was worse.
"The areas that will be hit the most from now on today will be the Gaspésie areas, the Lower St. Lawrence areas and the North Shore areas," said Maxime Desharnais, a meteorologist with ECCC.
Transport Québec has plows out on the roads and it is asking drivers to make way for snow removal vehicles and to watch their speed.
It says drivers should take extra precaution at exits, where snow might have accumulated and where it could be more slippery.
with files from CBC's Lauren McCallum and The Canadian Press