City braces for winter's arrival

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You knew it had to come, didn’t you?

Winter’s wallop was to arrive in Ottawa overnight, with between 20 and 35 centimetres of snow forecast and an advisory from police and Environment Canada to avoid unnecessary travel.

For Denis Berubé, owner of Worry-Free Snowblowing in Orléans, the storm means a 4 a.m. wake-up to get his fleet of plows and blowers on the road for 6 a.m.

“The first day is always crazy, but on top of that they’re throwing 25 centimetres,” says Berube. “It’s going to be a little hectic.”

“Even if I would have had five to 10 centimetres, I have a lot of new customers who are not used to it. They call, they ask when we’re going to be there.”

Berubé spent much of Monday snowed under, too — with last-minute clients.

“There’s a lot of customers who waited until the last minute to get their contracts in,” he said.

The first major storm of the winter of 2015-16 is part of a low pressure system from Texas travelling northward toward the Great Lakes and bringing snow and blowing snow across Southern and Eastern Ontario. The storm is expected to taper off over the afternoon.

Police were advising area residents to avoid all unnecessary travel.

Related


“You need to slow it down and pay attention,” said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kristine Rae. “Even though you do have winter tires, it doesn’t mean that your vehicle will drive freely in any type of weather conditions. You need to adjust, slow down and pay attention.”


Winter storm warning in effect. See our #winterdriving safety tips https://t.co/NwiHu2vxmq #otttraffic pic.twitter.com/7bbxhfUwTB

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) December 28, 2015


Highways, roads, walkways and parking lots might become difficult to navigate due to the expected snowfall, according to Environment Canada. It warned that visibility can drop to near zero during periods of heavy and blowing snow.

“If it’s not necessary to drive and if we have very bad weather we suggest you don’t. That’s the safest way,” says Rae.

The OPP also advises to make sure that your vehicle is in good repair, including windshield wipers. As well, it is advises to have emergency kits in your vehicle in the event of traffic delays or potential accidents.

City snow plows and salt trucks will also be out in force on Tuesday. The City of Ottawa’s new Where’s my Plow? feature will let you know when crews will reach your street.

Berubé said he expects have all his customers’ driveways cleared at least once by noon. Crews will then make another more thorough pass later in the day.

“It’s going to be cold; eventually the temperature will go down to -3. Whenever it’s cold enough, it’s not going to be heavy, wet snow. It’s easier on the blower and easier on the shoveller.”

He expects that the work his teams will be doing Tuesday isn’t going to be easy.

“Once the shoveller has done 10 hours or 12 hours, that’s it. He wants to go rest. There’s no way he’s going to do another eight-hour shift.”

“It’s just the nature of the beast, it’s very demanding.”



Those who will be travelling by air should also be anticipating delays tomorrow. Air Canada advises that flights to, from or connecting through Sault St. Marie, Sudbury and Toronto might be delayed or cancelled due to snow.

Krista Kealey of the Ottawa Airport Authority said staff would be making every effort to clear runways, including an extra crew being added for the weather event.

“Plan extra time to travel to the airport and be prepared for lineups and potential delays,” says Kealey. “Most importantly, pack your patience — the airlines are committed to getting people on their way, but the weather may create challenges.”

Travellers can check with their airline or at YOW.ca for schedule information before heading to the airport.

Ottawa residents are advised to continue monitoring alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.



  • shovels-hang-at-the-ready-at-worry-free-snowblowing-in-orlea.jpeg


    Shovels hang at the ready at Worry-free Snowblowing in Orleans Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. The city's first snowstorm is expected to hit at about midnight tonight. Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

  • a-woman-walks-along-elgin-st-near-laurier-st-during-a-cold.jpeg


    A woman walks along Elgin St. near Laurier St. during a cold snap in Ottawa Monday December 28, 2015. Darren Brown / Ottawa Citizen

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    Pedestrians walk along Elgin St. near Laurier St. during a cold snap in Ottawa Monday December 28, 2015. Darren Brown / Ottawa Citizen

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    Mont-Cascades was making snow on Monday even as forecasters called for up to 30 cm of snow to fall overnight. Jean Levac / Ottawa Citizen

  • skaters-make-use-of-the-rink-of-dreams-at-city-hall-assignm.jpeg


    Skaters make use of the Rink of Dreams at city hall. Wayne Cuddington / Ottawa Citizen

  • ottawans-were-starting-to-feel-the-significant-drop-in-tempe.jpeg


    Ottawans were starting to feel the significant drop in temperature Monday as they made their way around downtown, pulling up the hoods, collars and scarfs as it dipped to -10 degrees celcius ahead of the incoming snowstorm. Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

  • mont-cascades-was-making-snow-on-december-28-2015-jean1.jpeg


    Mont-Cascades was making snow on December 28, 2015. Jean Levac / Ottawa Citizen
  • shovels-hang-at-the-ready-at-worry-free-snowblowing-in-orlea.jpeg
  • a-woman-walks-along-elgin-st-near-laurier-st-during-a-cold.jpeg
  • pedestrians-walk-along-elgin-st-near-laurier-st-during-a-c.jpeg
  • mont-cascades-was-making-snow-on-december-28-2015-jean.jpeg
  • skaters-make-use-of-the-rink-of-dreams-at-city-hall-assignm.jpeg
  • ottawans-were-starting-to-feel-the-significant-drop-in-tempe.jpeg
  • mont-cascades-was-making-snow-on-december-28-2015-jean1.jpeg

Satellite view of the storm as it developed over Gulf of Mexico



Seven Winter Driving Tips

  1. Don’t blame the weather. Police say most collisions are caused by people driving inappropriately for the conditions.
  2. Slow down more than you think you have to. A few km/h below the speed limit may not be enough.
  3. Have winter tires on all four wheels. “All-season” tires just don’t cut it in an Ottawa winter.
  4. Leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead. Slippery roads mean that braking power won’t be there when you need it.
  5. Lights on for visibility. Snow, blowing snow and flying slush makes everything hard to see.
  6. Four-wheel drive is good, but doesn’t make you invincible.
  7. Don’t travel if you don’t need to travel. Sometimes the best idea is to just stay home.



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