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Montreal’s wild winter weather has left the city buried in snow, and residents are facing a long, slow cleanup.
The island was slammed by two massive snowstorms in a 72-hour span — with 34 cm of the white stuff falling last Thursday and another 38 cm on Sunday. To make matters more difficult, Montreal was hit with a blowing snow advisory from Environment Canada on Monday morning.
While the worst of the extreme weather may be over, towering snowbanks and clogged streets could remain a common sight for the next week or so. On Monday afternoon, the City of Montreal addressed the situation in a social media statement.
“We have just gone through an unprecedented storm, with nearly 74 cm of snow accumulated in record time,” the city wrote before offering a timeline for snow clearing. “Montreal is buried, and it will take at least eight days before the situation returns to normal.”
Officials are reminding residents that parking restrictions remain in effect and must be respected to avoid slowing down snow removal crews. The city also confirmed that all garbage, recycling, and compost collections are cancelled this week.
“We thank you for your patience and understanding,” the statement continued. “Behind every shovel, every snowplow, there is a person working hard. In the meantime, let’s be there for each other — help a neighbour, push a stuck vehicle, give a smile to the teams on the ground.”
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante later issued a statement of her own, reminding citizens that Montreal hasn’t received a snowfall this significant since the 1950s.
“Travelling will not be easy this week, but the situation should improve gradually,” she wrote in French. “I’m aware that this is not easy for a lot of people. I want to reassure you: We are doing everything in our power to deal with this exceptional situation.”
Mayor Plante urged residents to work from home if possible, hoping to ease traffic and keep the streets as clear as possible.
Both Thursday and Sunday’s storms led to hundreds of flight cancellations at Montreal’s international airport. A large number of schools on the island cancelled classes as well.
To help people navigate the aftermath, city officials have put together a guide with practical tips on snow removal, staying safe during power outages, and driving in treacherous conditions. You can check out the full guide on Montreal.ca.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
