Ottawa digs out after winter's heaviest storm so far

The heaviest storm to hit the region since 2022 dropped 32 centimetres of snow — that's just over a foot — on Ottawa by early Thursday afternoon, as the city's snow clearing crews battled to keep the transportation network clear.

Crews worked non-stop through the night and into Thursday. With workers prioritizing sidewalks, arterial roads and bike lanes, the clearing of residential streets is expected to continue into Thursday evening.

The city will be implementing a second parking ban Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Winds gusting up to 60 km/h complicated efforts by blowing snow in drifts. The city is asking for patience from residents and urges them to postpone non-essential travel until the roads are clear.

Environment Canada began calling down winter storm and snowfall warnings that have been in place for all of eastern Ontario and western Quebec, starting mid-morning in western parts of the region. They had ended everywhere but Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Que., by around 3:30 p.m.

Timing-wise, the storm had started by 6 p.m. Wednesday at CFB Trenton and by 9 p.m. at the Ottawa airport.

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.

Gatineau's main weather station had measured 35 centimetres of snow by 1 p.m. Bancroft had 26 centimetres.

Cancellations and changes

Throughout the morning there were instances of articulated buses becoming stuck in the snow. 

As part of its severe weather plan, OC Transpo pulled about two-thirds of its 50 articulated buses from service on Thursday, according to Troy Charter, director of transit service delivery and rail operations. 

Coun. Glen Gower, chair of Ottawa's transit commission, said in a statement that there were 90 articulated buses in service compared to the usual 260 on a typical weekday.

Gower added that about 100 buses were briefly stuck, but were able to get going again fairly quickly.

Speaking at the transit committee meeting, Charter could not specify how many of the accordion buses had become immobilized but said "the majority of the time they're getting cleared very, very quickly."

In light of the extreme weather, OC Transpo considered Thursday a success, with managing director Renée Amilcar saying they had kept passengers safe during a challenging day.

Throughout the morning, O-Train riders experienced line and platform closures and train delays, while OC Transpo reduced bus service Thursday because of the forecast. It didn't proactively cut train service but warned passengers to expect delays.

Canada Post suspended mail delivery and collection throughout Ontario on Thursday due to the inclement weather.

Some schools took the rare precaution of closing Thursday: all four western Quebec school service centres, 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 all campuses. Loyalist College has also suspended in-person classes and activities.

Kingston 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. Gatineau is putting in another ban from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday.

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

Around 6 a.m. almost every major local roads was listed as snow-covered by Ontario and Quebec's transportation ministries. Visibility was affected by snow in many areas.

The situation started improving later in the morning.

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.

Marc-Antoine Deschamps with the Ottawa Paramedic Service said they did not recieve any major calls due to the storm.

"We had a couple of people that had chest pain after shovelling, but nothing serious in that regards," he said.