A significant winter storm is affecting the Hamilton area on Sunday, with up to 35 centimetres of snow anticipated in the coming hours, as reported by Environment Canada.
The federal weather agency has issued orange snowfall warnings for Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara Falls, along with a yellow warning for Brantford.
Orange indicates the second-highest level of severity in Environment Canada’s three color-coded alerts, following red and preceding yellow, which is the least severe.
Mayor Andrea Horwath is advising everyone to refrain from unnecessary travel and look out for each other as the city announced a significant weather event starting at noon on Sunday.
“Hamiltonians – the winter storm has arrived – please stay safe,” Howarth shared in a post on X.
“If you can, stay indoors, off the roads, and check in on loved ones and neighbours.”
Horwath noted that road crews, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics “are out there doing their utmost to get us through these difficult conditions.”
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Hamilton Street Railway says customers can check for their next bus using the real-time trip planners. (Hamilton Street Railway/X)
The city mentioned that Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) will stick to its regular schedule; however, service may be delayed due to weather conditions. Customers can use real-time trip planners to find their next bus.
Meanwhile, HSR announced that operations for the Disabled and Aged Regional Transit System (DARTS) have been halted immediately due to worsening weather conditions and increasing snow accumulation predicted ahead.
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Mc Master University says it will update the community at 5:30 a. m. if it will close on Monday. (Georgia Kirkos)
The university specified that all currently open Mc Master facilities will be closed. All dining options are unavailable except those located within residence halls. Anything not deemed essential is also closed including remotely scheduled activities.
The university indicated it would provide an update about further closures at 5:30 a. m. Monday morning.
Due to heavy snowfall today, Hamilton International Airport advises travelers as well as those picking up passengers from there to verify airline flight status before heading out.
“Allow extra time on the roads to get here safely,” stated an alert from airport officials on X.
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Orange is second most serious among Environment Canada’s three color-coded warnings after red & before yellow- which is considered least serious warning.(Environment & Climate Change Canada )
Mauti explained that heavy snowfall could continue throughout most of today into tonight.
“We’re expecting that intensity might ease late this evening going into overnight ,” she commented adding light flurries might linger into Monday morning.
She mentioned this storm arises from low-pressure systems originating from United States affecting southern Ontario’s northern edge.
City of Hamilton’s snow clearing update
Within its declaration regarding significant weather events , The City provided current updates concerning snow removal :Transportation teams focus primarily upon Priority 1 or Priority Two routes while still responding quickly towards escarpments / parkways or major highways once snowfall begins. Given extremely cold temperatures affect salting effectiveness-teams utilize mixed salt/sand solutions instead. Snow storage within urban settings faces limitations based upon accumulations so immediate clearance strategies follow suit. The municipality activated full equipment capabilities designated specifically towards plowing/salting responsibilities too. Using City’s plow tracker provides helpful insight regarding maintenance vehicle activity recorded over past two/ four/twelve/ twenty-four hours respectively. Accordingly per regulations outlined via Snow And Ice Bylaw No 03-296 property owners/residents must remove accumulated ice/snow within one day post-event conclusion beside clearing roofs extending toward adjacent sidewalks. During declared major weather incidents-homeowners/residents acquire additional timeframe allowing twenty-four hours after declaration end finishes cleaning properties.
