Snowy, wet Saturday in Montreal as clearing operation continues
Posted January 13, 2024 1:37 pm.
Last Updated January 13, 2024 7:26 pm.
A snowfall warning was in effect for Montreal Saturday, with about 15 centimetres blanketing the city.
“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” Environment Canada says. “Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.”
The snow was extremely wet in the afternoon as temperatures hovered above freezing. Strong winds were also in the forecast.
The City of Montreal was already undergoing a snow-removal operation after Tuesday’s snowfall.
“At this point, we have one goal to achieve: it’s the clearing operation,” city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin told CityNews. “We will maintain the clearing operation until the end of the day. And during the night, we will be also on those sidewalks. Tomorrow morning, every borough will decide if they go back on the loading operation.
“If the sidewalks in a particular borough aren’t in good state, then they will wait until the end of the day Sunday to go back on the operation.”
Sabourin warns drivers to keep an eye out for “no parking” signs.
“Keep in mind you have to be aware there could be tomorrow in the morning, in the afternoon, signs asking you to obey the non-parking restriction,” he said.
Montrealers were feeling mixed about the arrival of the snow this weekend.
“It’s lovely,” one person told CityNews. “Yeah, it’s like everything feels like it’s like we’re in a different world. Like usually, it’s green and beautiful, but this is way better than what we were expecting.”
“It’s like slush. I hate it here,” said another. “And everyone starts slipping on this stuff. It’s so… I usually wear my shoes in the winter, but my mom told me I need to put on my boots because today was a snowstorm.”
“If you have a good coat and good pair of boots, you’re OK,” added another. “You can’t stop life for the snow.”
The snow is expected to continue Sunday, with a few flurries beginning around noon, with a high of minus-three degrees Celsius and a low of minus-11. On Monday, a mix of sun and clouds is in the forecast and minus-five degrees.
