Montreal's Unprecedented Snow Emergency: A City Under Siege

A major winter storm, the likes of which Montreal hasn't seen in decades, has engulfed the city, leaving it paralyzed under a record-breaking blanket of snow. Over the period between last Thursday and Sunday, 75 centimeters of snow—the most in a four-day period since at least 1941—has fallen on Montreal and surrounding areas. This surpasses typical winter snowfall totals and has resulted in a state of emergency, forcing the city to dramatically alter its snow removal strategy and drastically impacting daily life for residents.

The Unrelenting Snow and its Impact

Environment Canada issued a blowing snow advisory for the greater Montreal area, parts of the St. Lawrence Valley, the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Beauce, and more, warning of winds up to 70 km/h causing near-zero visibility. The advisory highlights the hazardous travel conditions created by the heavy snowfall combined with powerful winds. Road traffic was significantly affected, with drastically reduced visibility and snow accumulating on roads. The severity of this situation led to widespread school closures in the greater Montreal area on Monday. The sheer volume of snow, combined with strong winds, created blizzard-like conditions, impacting air travel and even halting Via Rail services on several routes.

Schools, Transportation, and Daily Life Disrupted

The impact on daily life has been profound. With schools closed across the greater Montreal area, many parents struggled to adjust their work schedules and childcare arrangements. Public transportation, though operating, faced significant disruptions due to hazardous road conditions, making commuting difficult for many. The city appealed to residents to work from home if possible and avoid non-essential travel, prioritizing public transportation where necessary. Furthermore, the city announced the suspension of garbage and recycling collection for a full week to allow crews to focus on snow removal efforts. This decision highlights the scale of the problem and the city’s overwhelming focus on clearing main roads.

The City's Response: A Shift in Strategy

The magnitude of the snowfall forced the City of Montreal to dramatically adjust its snow-clearing strategy. Philippe Sabourin, a city spokesperson, announced the temporary suspension of snow-clearing operations and a shift to a “snow loading” operation. He explained this unprecedented move stems from the sheer volume of snow. With sidewalks rendered almost impassable and snow drifts reaching 4 meters in height, the city’s smaller snow-clearing trucks couldn't access many areas. Instead, the city is deploying larger equipment to move the massive snow piles in a coordinated effort involving 2,500 vehicles and 3,000 workers. The city expects this operation to take a minimum of eight days, reflecting the scale of the challenge.

A Week of Disruption: Garbage Collection and Sidewalk Access

The impact isn't limited to roads. The overwhelming amount of snow has led to the suspension of garbage and recycling collection for a full week. Residents were asked to remove their bins from the streets to facilitate snow removal operations. Sidewalk clearing, already significantly behind schedule, poses an even greater challenge. City officials acknowledged that approximately 50 percent of the sidewalks remain unusable due to the sheer volume of snow accumulated, further highlighting the magnitude of this exceptional weather event.

The Aftermath and What Lies Ahead

As of Monday morning, air traffic flow at both Toronto's Pearson and Montreal's Trudeau international airports had returned to normal levels after initial delays and cancellations. Nav Canada, the body that runs the country’s civil air navigation, advised passengers to check flight status with their airlines. While the initial storm has passed, the city faces an extended period of recovery and cleanup. The ongoing snow loading operation is expected to continue for at least eight days. The challenge ahead includes the significant task of clearing sidewalks and ensuring residents can safely navigate the city's streets once again. In the coming weeks, the city is expected to conduct thorough evaluations of its snow clearing strategies and emergency response protocols. The unprecedented nature of this event has served as a reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the need for extensive preparedness and adaptable strategies in the face of such extreme weather conditions. For now, Montrealers are urged to remain cautious, patient, and to follow city guidelines to ensure their safety during this lengthy recovery period.