Residents in the Hamilton and Niagara areas are clearing out after a wild snowstorm on Sunday that dropped anywhere from 10 to 50 centimetres across various spots in the region.
On Monday, schools and public services were shut down across the area. Many municipalities have implemented street parking bans. Additionally, some public services like mail delivery and waste collection have been cancelled.
Snow removal efforts are currently taking place in Hamilton, Burlington, Ont., and St. Catharines, Ont., with major roads being given priority according to plow trackers in those cities.
In the early afternoon on Monday, Environment Canada issued a weather warning for southwestern Ontario covering areas between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron. The agency cautioned that “bitterly cold conditions” are expected to settle in late tonight into Tuesday morning.
By 1 p. m. on Monday, it was reported to be -10 C in Hamilton, but wind chill made it feel like -18.
The forecast for Burlington on Tuesday predicts wind chills around -25. Meanwhile, residents of Hamilton and Niagara may experience wind chill values dropping as low as -30 according to Environment Canada.
Cars in Hamilton’s Crown Point East neighbourhood sit covered in snow Monday morning. (Eva Salinas/CBC)
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A west Hamilton bus stop is covered in snow following a storm on Jan. 25. ()
Burlington Receives 46 cm of Snow
Burlington saw heavier snowfall than other areas on Sunday; one observer measured up to 46 cm of snow according to Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist at Environment Canada who spoke with CBC Hamilton. Coulson noted that this storm was tricky to gauge since the snow was light and fluffy combined with strong winds. Nonetheless, it’s evident that the west end of Lake Ontario between Toronto and Burlington received the highest snowfall totals. Estimates for snowfall in Hamilton and Niagara varied from 10 to 20 cm while downtown Toronto is estimated to have received about 56 cm. Coulson shared that his home in Mississauga saw approximately 50 cm fall. This past Sunday marked the biggest snowfall day of winter for the region; Pearson Airport even set a record for single-day snowfall with 46.2 cm accumulated yesterday-surpassing a previous record from February 25th, 1965 when there was also significant accumulation at 39.9 cm.Schools Closed Across Multiple Boards
Both public and Catholic schools within Hamilton, Halton, and Niagara declared closures for Monday. The French school board Conseil scolaire Viamonde also confirmed its schools were closed across Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara. Most school boards indicated that any exams scheduled for high school students would be pushed back by one day due to these closures. Mc Master University announced its closure for Monday except for clinical placements related to health programs as stated on their website. Brock University along with Mohawk College and Niagara College opted to cancel all in-person classes as well.Impact on Mail Delivery and City Services
The storm has affected numerous public services throughout the area. Canada Post communicated that there will be no deliveries occurring today around Hamilton or within the Niagara Region due to weather conditions. “The safety of our employees is our number one priority,” they stated in a release earlier today. The service further encouraged residents via Facebook to clear away snow and ice “to ensure safe access to front doors for both their visitors as well as their mail carriers when service resumes.” A city news release indicated that municipal facilities opened later than usual at around 9 a. m. on Monday after delays due to weather issues. The Central branch along with Dundas, Red Hill, and Terryberry branches of the Hamilton Public Library will operate today from 1 p. m. to4 p. m. The city also announced cancellations concerning daytime recreation programs at Bennetto Community Centre until further notice so it can serve as a warming centre during this time while recreation activities held at public schools are also suspended because they’re closed now too. Seniors programming has been cancelled at Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre along with Flamborough Seniors’ Centre and Sackville Seniors’ Centre due likewise cause. Additionally waste collection service will not take place within Hamiltontodaybutisexpectedto resumeon Tuesday.
A Reminder From Police About Driving Safety
Niagararegionalpoliceservicehasreceived27callsforservicebetween Sundayand Mondaymorningspokesperson Jessica Martintold CBCHamiltonviaemail. “Wealwayssuggestthatthemotoringpublicstayhomeiftheycanwheneverroadconditionsarebad. Ifyoumustdriveensuresyourvehicleisclearofanysnowbeforeheadingoutandgiveyourselfextratimeandspace,” said Martin. Shealsoaddedthatdriversshouldconsiderkeepingawinteremergencykitandcharge their phonesbeforeleavingincasehelpisneeded. A spokespersonfor Hamilton Police Service Trevor Mc Kennasaidtherewere“no notableissues”reporteddue tothe stormasof Mondaymorning. “We’reremindingeveryonetocleartheirvehiclesoffproperlyleaveearliertobringalongslowercommuteanddon’tdrivethe speedlimit-drivefortheweather,” hesaidinanemail.Parking Bans Implemented Across Communities
Certain communitieshaveputbansonstreetparkingtofacilitate easierclearingofsnowinareasaroundtown.
St. Catharinesannounceditsbanonstreetparkinginmostneighborhoodsbeginningat6pm Sundaywith potentialfor ticketingortowingifrulesarenotfollowed.
The Cityof Burlingtonannouncedaparkingbaneffectiveat9pm Sundaywhichwillremaininplaceuntilfurthernotice. Forwinterenthusiastsgoodnews.-Geoff Coulson Noimmediate thawisin sight , Coulsonstatedtheregion’ssnowis herefortheforeseeablefuture. Januaryand Februaryareexpectedtobecolderthanusualwithpotentialflurriesbringingmorecentimetresinthelastweekahead. “Forwinterfans: goodnews,” Coulsonsummedup.”Morewinterpursuitcoming.”
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