Major snowstorm hits Montreal: schools closed, difficult driving conditions, flights delayed
Posted February 13, 2025 6:26 am.
Last Updated February 13, 2025 4:12 pm.
A winter storm is sweeping across the Greater Montreal area, with up to 40 cm of snow expected to accumulate by Thursday, as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintains its winter storm warning. Strong winds will accompany the snowfall, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility in some areas. The snow may quickly accumulate, making travel hazardous, especially during rush hour.
ECCC warns that visibility may be reduced to near zero during heavy snow and blowing snow, contributing to potential transportation delays. Commuters are urged to travel with caution, as rapidly changing conditions could make travel more difficult.
“The roads are not good, the traffic is bad, we have to go really slowly on the roads,” said Montrealer Akil Bougue.
“It’s quite snowy, but in certain places, it’s pretty well cleared,” said adapted transport driver, Amine Chetouani. “The little are a little less cleared, but the snow plows do a very good job and I thank them.”
City of Montreal and Transports Québec crews were out clearing roads.
“We’ll continue to do the clearing operation until the end of the snowstorm,” said Philippe Sabourin, spokesperson for the City of Montreal. “Then we will need an extra eight hours to complete the turnaround, so people will have to be patient.”
Many were seen shovelling or removing snow from their cars.
“Making sure that I don’t have to shovel four to five feet of snow by the end of the day,” said Sylvie Tardif.
“I did that for the last 14 years — snow removal, and it’s starting to be tough,” Jean Goulet said.
Goulet says he has 22 snow removal contracts and that he’d be at it all day.
“Until tomorrow,” he said. “I will do that until maybe 8 to 10 o’clock tonight and tomorrow morning, too.”
The City says they haven’t yet decided when they’ll begin snow loading operations, as more snow is in the forecast.
“We will evaluate that because they’re calling for an extra 10 centimetres, maybe 15, on Sunday,” Sabourin said.
“That’s incredible,” Goulet said. “Two in a few days — that’s very tough.”
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has reminded road users to “exercise great caution and adapt their driving according to the sometimes changing road conditions.”
The ministry urged motorists to “postpone non-essential travel until weather conditions improve.”
According to Québec 511, several road accidents occurred Thursday morning, leading to temporary lane closures.
As for road closures, the Lafontaine tunnel will no longer be closed on Friday into Saturday, as initially planned, for repair work due to the weather.
“There will be no closure,” said Martin Girard, spokesperson for Transports Québec. “But for the storm, people if they move around Montreal, elsewhere in Quebec, they can expect some road closures. Our team is following this closely and if they need to close a road due to the snowstorm, they will do it. So better also to check on Quebec 511 to have all the information about the road conditions.”
At Montreal-Trudeau and Quebec City Jean-Lesage airports, several departures scheduled for Thursday morning have been cancelled, while others will instead attempt to take off in the afternoon.
Travelers scheduled to take a flight on Thursday are advised to follow the status of the situation with their airline and to allow extra time to get to the airport.
The high temperature on Thursday is forecast to reach -1°C, but with a wind chill that will make it feel more like -19°C in the morning and -6°C in the afternoon. The snow will taper off in the evening, giving way to cloudy skies and blowing snow. The overnight low will be around -11°C, but it could feel like -20°C.
As the snowstorm rages on, various schools, daycares, and other educational institutions have announced closures.
The following school boards will be closed on Thursday:
- English Montreal School Board
- Lester B. Pearson School Board
- New Frontiers School Board
- Riverside School Board
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
Additionally, several school service centers in the region are closing, including:
- Centre de services scolaire des Affluents
- Centre de services scolaire de Laval
- Centre de services scolaire de Montréal
- Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys
- Centre de services scolaire des Hautes-Laurentides
- Centre de services scolaire des Trois Lacs
- Centre de services scolaire de Saint-Hyacinthe
Higher education institutions have also been impacted by the storm:
- Concordia University has cancelled all in-person classes
- McGill University has cancelled all in-person classes
- Marianopolis College will hold classes online
- Université de Montréal, Dawson College, and John Abbott College remain closed
Daycares are also facing closures, including:
- CPE les Bois Verts
- CPE Lachine
- CPE McGill
- CPE Treehouse
- Garderie Park Place
- JPPS Children’s Centre
Other Closures
Other schools and institutions in the area have closed, including:
- Collège Charlemagne
- Collège Sainte-Anne
- Kells Academy’s Elementary, High School and Grade 12 campuses
- St. George’s Elementary and High Schools
- Sacred Heart School of Montreal
- The Study
- Vanguard
Residents are advised to stay tuned to local updates and be cautious while traveling in the coming days, as the storm could have lasting effects on both transportation and daily routines.
—With files from The Canadian Press
