Snow-Covered Cities: Toronto and Montreal Battle Back-to-Back Storms

In the wake of two consecutive snowstorms, Toronto and Montreal are grappling with towering snow piles and challenging conditions. The eastern half of Canada has been hit hard, with parts of Quebec experiencing the brunt of the snowfall. Montreal and Laval reported around 40 centimeters of snow as of early Monday morning, with additional accumulation expected.

Environment Canada has issued blizzard warnings for much of southern and central Quebec, including the St. Lawrence and Gaspé Peninsula. Montreal's city spokesperson, Philippe Sabourin, mentioned that it will take days to clear the 11,000 kilometers of streets. Crews are prioritizing pushing snow out of the way of traffic before beginning the lengthy process of removing the piles.

In Toronto, the situation is similarly challenging. The city received 25 to 30 centimeters of snow in the Greater Toronto Area, with Hamilton experiencing 32 centimeters. Snow plow drivers are working tirelessly to clear downtown streets, but the sheer volume of snow presents significant obstacles. Vincent Sferrazza, Toronto's director of operations and maintenance for transportation services, emphasized the priority of clearing roads before removing the massive snow piles.

Both cities are urging residents to avoid non-essential travel and work from home if possible. Schools in the Greater Montreal area have canceled classes, and police are advising motorists to stay off the roads. The storm has also impacted air travel, with numerous flight cancellations and delays at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

As the cities continue to dig out from the snow, patience and caution are essential for residents navigating these wintery conditions.