Ottawa commuters navigate slick roads to start the week, most buses cancelled
Difficult winter travel across parts of eastern Ontario Monday, with the slick conditions prompting widespread school bus cancellations
The heaviest snowfall of the season for the National Capital Region is making Monday's commute a headache for many drivers. Widespread snowfall totals of 15-25 cm are expected, stretching from the heart of cottage country and east towards Ottawa.
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Snow and freezing rain crept into the area through the day Sunday, with over 10 hours of the icy conditions reported. Cold temperatures are what allowed precipitation to change over to all snow through the overnight and early morning hours, leaving behind a healthy coating of snow throughout eastern Ontario.
By the early morning hours on Monday, 10 cm of snowfall had been recorded at Ottawa’s airport.
Temperatures are forecast to hover close to the freezing mark through Monday, so the snow will be a heavier, wet variety that is difficult to shovel and increases the risk of power outages. It also makes for very difficult travel conditions.
As a result, almost all school buses across eastern Ontario were cancelled for Monday. Ottawa and surrounding communities were still under a winter weather travel advisory Monday morning, as well.
"Adapt your driving to changing road conditions. Use caution when walking or driving in affected areas," said Environment and Climate Change Canada in the advisory.
The snow will slowly wind down across Ottawa on Monday, where close to 20 cm will have likely fallen. Periods of light snow are expected to continue across eastern Ontario throughout the day. Snowfall totals will dramatically decrease south toward Lake Ontario, where warmer temperatures will keep mixed precipitation around for longer. Between 5-15 cm of snow will fall from Barrie east toward Brockville, with a conversational dusting possible along the lakeshores.
A burst of snow will blanket the region once again Monday afternoon before making an exit out east.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Getty Images.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on this snowfall event in eastern Ontario.