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A bulldozer pushes snow into a pile at Knox Farm after it was collected from Kingston streets on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. Photo by Elliot Ferguson /The Whig-Standard
According to meteorologist Doug Gillham from The Weather Network, winter isn’t done with us just yet.
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There’s been a lot of snow buildup and ongoing bitter cold this winter season, and Gillham doesn’t think we’ll see relief anytime soon.
“Some would argue that we’ve had a classic winter like we used to see,” he said. “But you don’t have to go back very far to find a similar winter.”
Citing winters like those of 2018-19 and 2021-22 as parallels for this year’s chilly conditions filled with snow.
He also mentioned that November through January have all been colder than usual.
“This early start to winter in November and three months straight of lower-than-normal temperatures could be affecting people’s mental health along with straining city resources,” he explained. “However, there was quite a thaw for about eight days in early January before we hit extreme cold and snowfall.”
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The sharp drop in temperatures at the end of January combined with heavy snowfall can be attributed to warm Pacific air due to a weak La Niña interacting with instability in polar vortex conditions according to Gillham.“The recent stretch of wintry weather has placed sustained pressure on city operations,” Adam Mc Donald shared as operations manager for City of Kingston’s Public Works and Solid Waste Services while speaking with The Whig. “
“Since Christmas Day there’s only been one day without winter operations ongoing due multiple weather events leading into prolonged cold periods plus frequent snow squalls,” Mc Donald stated. “
The latest storm added another hefty layer-30-40 centimeters-of snow which simply can’t be pushed aside easily.”
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In his decade-long experience within public works roles , Mc Donald remarked how January ‘s storm is truly memorable. “< B "I’ve never dealt such intense snowfall paired extreme freezing temps & previous accumulation during Sunday-Monday period;" he recounted.“In numerous spots accumulated snows require physical removal taken away-which prolongs clean-up process-it could take weeks until priority areas are clear.””Public Works teams alongside contractors continue working around clock aiming focus arterial roads , collector routes residential streets bus shelters sidewalk high traffic zones. “< Боцка в окне двете си краче : | | So sometimes when heavier loads cleared adjacent walkways need addressing again-that takes even more time too."”This has not loaded yet but article continues below.”
Mc Donald expressed understanding towards residents frustrated by slow movement. “We know folks want things cleared up quickly,” he mentioned adding crews are making progress steadily meanwhile appreciate patience shown as teams handle priorities amid changing situations.” Winter troubles extend even into schools where students’ transportation faced unexpected cancellations because of snowy conditions. According Jeremy Da Costa CEO Tri-Board Student Transportation Services since school year kick-off buses cancelled twelve times already. “Our records show ten (cancellations) specifically for Kingston area earliest occurring November tenth,” he said noting “Another cancellation happened December tenth too.” This hasn’t loaded yet but article goes further down. Da Costa noted disruptions beginning earlier than usual saying Nov tenth marked an unusual start for cancellations.
Jeremy Da Costa chief executive officer Tri-Board stands among parked buses Burnett St prior dispatch run Wednesday January twenty-eight two thousand twenty-six photo Bill Hall/The Whig Standard “In terms trends historical records cancellations we’re witnessing haven’t occurred region past few years.” Da Costa compared current season against earlier years showing higher frequency resembling seasons like twenty-two-thirteen nineteen eighteen-nineteen. “The ‘big story’ here focuses upon regularity frequency consecutive occurrences since holiday break.” After returning classes covering all zones including Kingston Napanee Prince Edward County surrounding regions various full or partial cancellations took place five six fifteen sixteen nineteen twenty-one twenty-two twenty-six twenty-seven twenty-eight; out those ten days eight involved only Kingston area. seven This ad hasn’t loaded just yet though article keeps going beneath here! Content continued With merely sixteen official school days counted post-holidays buses remained grounded halfway through total time recorded thus far-until recently noted date: “This truly represents highest number days consecutively seen last five six year span,” Da Costa emphasized underscoring importance safety well-being kids overall context guiding daily decision-making protocols regarding transport status concerning forecasts.” Tri-board oversee alerts statuses linked locally across communities like Frontenac Lennox Addington managed educational institutions outlined within Limestone District School Board whose stance remains unchanged keeping doors open despite tricky road circumstances limiting transport availability affected attendance rates specific schools when weather impacts arise. eight This ad hasn’t finished loading completely however article still moving forth! As stated Krishna Burra Director Education District articulated statement dated Jan twenty-one reiterating staff consistently supervising providing learning opportunities for students attending whenever transportation services halted unexpectedly “When tri-board cancels transport options attendance fluctuates based different variables impacting specific locations accordingly adjustment conducted adjusting routines creating secure positive environments tailoring experiences adaptively toward present circumstances overall challenge caused inclement weather patterns disrupted standard practices adopted every day.” Burra clarified instances having considerable volume pupils relying exclusively bussed students typically classroom looks altered significantly correlating overall dynamics amidst many absences affect teaching styles conducted common spaces designated groups blend together fostering engagement continuity education atmosphere remains safe supportive throughout these challenges faced collectively. nine Further details highlighted following aforementioned context gave rise completely board shutting down facilities temporarily enforced closure caused notably harsh frigid elements unrelated directed points raised tri-board communications directives respectively shared publicly through various channels accessible stakeholders involved whole region. Looking ahead onto upcoming predictions meteorologist Doug Gillham warned avoiding shooting messenger stating February expected colder than average conditions prevailing historically amongst coldest months observed regularly during this timeframe currently experiencing fierce Arctic patterns influencing climate behaviors radically shifting norms trending downward considerably compared averages expected. Gillham predicted slight easing temperature shifts coming week although doesn’t suggest total thaw occurring merely lesser severity spikes witnessed periodically likely revert back colder cycles persistently extending throughout remaining weeks impending arrival March mark possible transition point seasonal outlook doesn’t indicate warmer tendencies emerging visibly either continuing pattern maintaining chilliness projected longer than anticipated timelines passing prior expectations alone setting stage uncertainties linger down future prospects ahead thereof.” Bihall Article conclusion followed suit sharing entirety available socially networked platformsDescription link here!`
