A snow-removal operation will begin in Montreal early Wednesday morning after a blast of winter weather hit the city and walloped the southern half of the province.
The city announced the measure, which is the earliest in its history, after about 20 centimetres of snow blanketed the area overnight Monday into Tuesday. While snow clearing has already begun, snow removal will begin at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Our crews have been working all night,” said city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin.
READ MORE: Montrealers scramble to put on snow tires before blast of winter weather
Quebecers were dealing with difficult road conditions and commutes Tuesday morning after the season’s first major snowfall.
The snowfall led to several school boards cancelling classes for the day in areas such as Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships. In Montreal, most school boards remain open but the Oral School for the Deaf is closed.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for several regions, including Quebec City and the Eastern Townships. Environment Canada warns those areas will receive an extra five to 15 centimetres of snow by Wednesday morning.
“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” the national weather agency said.
The Sûreté du Québec is asking drivers to be careful on the roads, saying visibility will be reduced due to high winds and blowing snow.
Tough commute in Montreal
The snowfall warning has been lifted for the greater Montreal area, but traffic could still be difficult throughout the day due to snow-choked roads and because many drivers don’t have snow tires.
As a result, Montreal police say motorists should slow down and take their time on the roads.
“If you do not have your winter tires, avoid driving with your vehicle,” police said on social media.
READ MORE: City of Montreal gears up for another winter season
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) warned of delays on its bus network. The city’s public transit authority is asking Montrealers to plan more time for their trips and to look up the status of service before heading out.
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There are also delays and cancellations at the Montreal Trudeau International Airport. Officials recommend all passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport.
‘It’s way too early’
After the blast of winter weather, Andrea Lambton bundled up and took to dusting the snow off her car in the city’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood. What she finds hard is that it seems like the cold and snow set in earlier each year.
“It’s way too early,” she told Global News. “I can handle December, but mid-November is a bit ridiculous.”
Jocelyn Boyle was prepared. She had already changed her tires and took to driving slowly through the city on Tuesday.
However, she remains cautiously optimistic about the coming weeks.
“I hope it will melt,” she said. “And we will have a little fall again.”
— With files from Global News’ Brayden Jagger Haines
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