Nearly 40 cm snowfall for Montreal during second major storm

There was another massive snowfall over the weekend for Montreal, with nearly 40 centimetres coming down during the second major snowstorm in four days.

The average snowfall for February is around 47 cm. Last Thursday alone saw 34 cm of snow blanket the city.

“I find that having two snowstorms back to back is really hard as it’s a lot of shovelling,” one Montrealer told CityNews. “I don’t just shovel here, I do other areas, so it’s almost six hours of shovelling.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a blowing snow warning for Monday.

“There’s strong winds that bring the snow from the roof on our street and sidewalks,” City of Montreal spokesperson Phillippe Sabourin said.

Almost all schools are closed as officials asked that people stay off the roads and work from home to help the cleanup efforts. Authorities say it could take up to eight days to remove the snow that fell over the weekend and last Thursday.

The snowfall recorded in Montreal between last week’s storm and Monday has been the highest total snowfall over four days in the city since 1941, according to ECCC. Montreal did not break a single-day snowfall records, but ECCC says it’s unusual to have major snowstorms a few days apart — and rarer to have a blizzard across southern Quebec. 

In Montreal, 36.8 cm of snow fell Sunday and an additional 2 cm overnight, totaling close to 40 cm.

This storm ranks as the seventh highest amount of snow ever recorded in a single day in Montreal, and the 10th biggest snowstorm in the city’s history.

“Since I arrived in Quebec 20 years ago, it’s the first time I see this much snow in the city of Montreal,” one Montrealer said. “We do the tasks necessary, and we help the city and other citizens to get out of this mess.”

ECCC said “this storm caused difficult road conditions, several road closures, numerous accidents and some power outages.”

After this second major storm in three days, the City of Montreal has asked its residents to avoid non-essential travel until Monday evening.

“Citizens will thus remain safe while facilitating the work of the teams on the ground to carry out the clearing,” it was specified in a press release.

“Extremely hazardous driving conditions can be expected due to reduced visibility. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Road closures are possible,” Environment Canada warned.

Car owners who are parked on the street have a reprieve from moving their vehicles, as snow loading, which began Friday, has been halted so crews can focus on clearing the roads.

“The City of Montreal will issue new communications when loading resumes,” it was indicated.

“It might take like over an hour just to shovel around, and eventually when I leave someone will take the spot and I’ll have to find another spot that is not unsnowed and unsnow it,” a Montrealer who was digging out their car Monday told CityNews.

Looking ahead, cloudy skies for Tuesday with northwest winds at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, and a high of minus 12°C. The wind chill will make it feel closer to minus 25°C, and the UV index will remain low throughout the day.

Conditions will remain overcast for the rest of the week, with temperatures staying well below freezing. Montrealers can expect a high of minus 9°C on Wednesday, minus 4°C on Thursday, and minus 7°C on Friday. Clear skies are expected Friday night with temperatures plunging to minus 13°C. Saturday, February 22, will bring a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of minus 3°C, followed by cloudy periods and a 30 percent chance of flurries overnight. The temperature will drop to minus 8°C.

In addition to the cold and snow, a weather alert is in effect for Montreal, where visibility is expected to be reduced to near zero in some areas due to snow and blowing snow. Strong westerly winds will create snowdrifts and hazardous road conditions, making travel difficult. Local authorities are warning that road traffic could be significantly impacted by reduced visibility and snow accumulation, urging residents to adjust their driving plans accordingly.

As the storm continues to affect the city, residents should stay alert and exercise caution when heading outside.

—With files from Corinne Broyer, CityNews, and La Presse Canadienne