A Sudden Awakening in the East of the Country
If you took a peek out the window this morning, you saw it: white has taken over the landscape. This isn’t just a light snowfall—it’s a full-blown winter storm causing havoc across the entire road network in the eastern part of the country this Thursday morning. Let’s be honest: getting around is going to be… complicated.
Environment Canada isn’t mincing words and has issued a yellow warning. The federal agency is urging all road users to prepare mentally (and technically) to deal with conditions that are changing—and, above all, deteriorating at breakneck speed. Whether you’re in a car or on foot, it’s going to be a long day.
Ontario under a mountain of snow (and summer tires?)
Let’s start with our neighbors in Ontario, who seem to be getting the lion’s share of the weather. Torontonians woke up to a thick blanket of snow, and this is just the beginning. Environment Canada forecasts that the snow will continue throughout the morning and will only gradually let up late this afternoon in the Greater Toronto Area. We’re talking about total accumulations ranging from 20 to 30 centimeters by the end of the day.
The direct result? Radio silence on the playgrounds. Several school boards have simply shut their doors for the day. Here’s what’s closed or canceled:
- The Toronto District School Board and the Catholic School Board have canceled classes and transportation.
- Same story for the York District and Peel District: schools closed, buses canceled.
- Metropolitan University of Toronto and its Brampton campuses are also keeping their doors closed (including the library).
Further east, in Ottawa and eastern Ontario, up to 25 centimeters of snow is expected. The Ottawa School Bus Consortium has indicated that it will not provide service on Thursday, January 15, even though the schools it serves remain technically open. It’s a bit of a topsy-turvy situation.
A bit of irony: while Quebec mandates winter tires, Ontario is still going it alone. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation reminds drivers that it’s up to them to “choose” whether they want winter tires. With 30 cm on the ground, let’s just say the choice should be a no-brainer. In the air, most flights at Pearson Airport have been delayed since 1 a.m., with several cancellations, while the situation remains surprisingly stable at Montréal-Trudeau.
Quebec isn’t spared either: a mix of weather and biting cold
Meanwhile, in Quebec, people are breaking out their shovels. Montreal is expecting between 10 and 15 centimeters of snow accompanied by blowing snow, and the temperature is currently a chilly -4 degrees Celsius. If you’re in Lanaudière, expect up to 20 centimeters. It’s winter—the real deal.
The situation is a bit more complicated elsewhere. On the South Shore of Quebec City and in the Estrie region, we’re seeing a somewhat unpleasant transition from rain to snowflakes that’s set to begin shortly. And if you think it’s cold in Montreal, spare a thought for Abitibi: it’s currently -21 degrees Celsius there. Temperatures are expected to drop elsewhere in the province as well.
Québec 511 is urging the public to exercise caution and plan their trips in advance. A word of advice? Check their interactive map to see road conditions and visibility before stepping outside.
Montreal: Chaos on the roads and in the REM
On the ground in Montreal, it’s total chaos. The road network is snow-covered, the roads are slippery, and visibility is poor just about everywhere. Pedestrians, public transit riders, drivers… no one is spared this morning.
The most striking image? At the intersection of Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges and Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, cars are stuck, and STM buses simply can’t make it up the hill. Traffic is so backed up that people are getting off the buses to finish their journey on foot! It’s the same story on Pie-IX Boulevard: the SRB is at a standstill heading north, with buses stuck on the hill leading to Sherbrooke Street, forcing a detour via Pierre-de-Coubertin Street.
And that’s not all. The Louis-Hyppolite-La Fontaine Tunnel is at a standstill. A pileup involving about ten vehicles occurred earlier this morning in Longueuil. Fortunately, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) reports no injuries, but this is an area to avoid at all costs. On Route 132 near Boucherville, the road has reopened after a pileup, but traffic remains slow.
As if that weren’t enough, the REM is at a standstill. Service is suspended between the Deux-Montagnes and Ville-de-Mont-Royal stations in all directions due to weather conditions, for an indefinite period. In short, if you can stay warm, that’s probably your best option today.
30 cm of snow, closed schools, and icy roads: why this Thursday is a logistical nightmare
This content was created with the help of AI.
