Freezing rain leaves sidewalks and roads slippery in Montreal

A difficult commute for many in and around the Montreal area on Thursday morning, after freezing rain fell on Southern Quebec last night and into the early morning hours – and more is on the way. Some schools forced to close to students and staff as well.

“We’re doing our best to complete the operation before the end of the day,” said Phillipe Sabourin, spokesperson for the city of Montreal.

Environment Canada’s freezing rain warning still in effect for the Montreal region.

“I’m wearing crampons because I don’t want to fall,” said Montrealer Helene in French. “It helps become more solid on the ice.”

The weather agency says another round of freezing rain is expected on Friday. “Additional freezing precipitation amounts of 5 to 10 millimetres are expected during this event.”

“The freezing rain is starting up throughout the evening overnight heading into tomorrow morning,” said CityNews weather specialist, Stella Acquisto. “Then before transitioning in the afternoon it’s going to switch over to a few flakes and then it’ll taper off completely.”

The city of Montreal says crews are out salting, but the sidewalks are slippery.

“I fell outside when I left my house this morning and slipped on the first steps of the staircase,” said Montreal resident, Emmanuel Albert who was going to warm up his car.

On Thursday, the following school service centres or school closed: New Frontiers School Board, Riverside School Board, Centre de services scolaire des Trois-Lacs, Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes, Centre de services scolaire des Grandes-Seigneuries, Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin.

Igor, a Montrealer, said it took him 10 minutes to clean the ice off of his car this morning. “We need to take it off because when we’re driving, it can fly on other cars in the back, so it will be a little bit dangerous.”

Environment Canada forecasting more freezing drizzle to start before morning on Friday and changing to rain mixed with light snow in the afternoon. Temperatures climbing to plus 1, but it’ll feel like -13 with the wind chill in the morning.

Drier come Saturday and Sunday – with highs above zero, plus 2 and 1 respectively.

Jerome is a Montreal pedestrian who walks every day and said he is not used to sidewalks being clean after a storm. “I was surprised the city had put the little rocks and calcium on the street, so it’s not too bad.”

Then dropping to -8 degrees come Monday.

Phillipe Coutu, a Montreal resident, recommends walking around with spikes on your shoes. “I’m looking at everyone else walking a bit like penguins this morning, very slowly and carefully.”

Next chance of flurries for now might be on Tuesday with a 30 per cent chance.

“Usually it takes the city between 8 and 12 hours to complete the circle around the network but it’s going to be done for sure,” explained Sabourin. “If there’s a problem with the sidewalk, citizens are asked to call the 311 or use your phone.”