Snowstorm slows travel as snow-clearing operations begin

A total of 35 centimetres is expected to fall overall

MONTREAL -- Driving is proving to be difficult on Quebec roads following a heavy snowfall Saturday night into Sunday.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, 30 centimetres had fallen on downtown Montreal, with up to five more centimetres acculumating until midnight. That's making roads difficult to drive on.

Highway 440 at Saint-François de Laval was completely closed at 11 a.m. Sunday due to poor weather conditions, reopening two hours later.

Another accident also caused the closure of Highway 40 westbound in the area of ​​Montreal East.

Despite that, there was still a glimmer of hope for drivers in Montreal and its suburbs Sunday -- according to Transport Quebec spokesperson Denis Arsenault, the storm was gradually moving out of Quebec.

Have pictures from the storm? Share them through MyNews

Despite Mother Nature’s whims, the Sûreté du Québec and Transport Quebec reported no fatalities.

"Eighteen vehicles, five different accidents and also nine people were injured, but the most important thing is no severe injuries," said Sarah Bensadouin of Transport Quebec

Arsenault, however, reported multiple fender benders. To avoid being a victim of such an accident, Arsenault said drivers, “must adapt their driving conditions so keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of them, and of course slow down."

He added that, “if you can delay your trips (until Monday), that would be even better.”

Some travellers who planned to leave Montreal and Toronto by air have no choice but to comply with this recommendation. Dozens of planes are grounded at Trudeau and Pearson airports, mostly headed to other east-coast cities.

That said, VIA Rail issued a statement saying it was "business as usual" on its train lines.

And though snow-clearing operations began in Montreal Sunday, the Monday morning rush hour may still be tricky as snow-clearing operations continue. The snow-clearing operation on Montreal's 10,000 kilometres of roads and sidewalks is expected to take about eight days -- following the city's average speed of four days per 15 centimetres.

Operations will move faster if drivers obey the orange parking restrictions, said Anie Samson of Montreal's executive committee.

"We don't want to give you tickets or to take out your car. It costs a lot and it costs time for the city," she said.

A total of 30,000 cars were towed last season during snow-removal operations.

The operation comes at a cost: the city has $150 million budgeted for snow removal, and a snowfall like this will cost taxpayers in the area of $20 million.

The Montreal police also issued a warning, asking pedestrians, especially, to be vigilant of heavy trucks, and be sure the driver sees you, to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

Snow coupled with frigid temperatures

Saturday morning, the temperature hit a low of -22 degrees Celsius in Montreal, -32 degrees with the wind chill.

Environment Canada said Montreal warmed up to a manageable -11 degrees Sunday, though winds will pick up from 30 kilometres per hour to 60 kilmoetres per hour, making the overnight low of -16 Celsius feel much colder.

The mercury is set to drop even further on Monday -- into the -20s and could even approach -30 in some of the more outlying spots. Milder air won't reach Montreal until Thursday, with precipitation coming in the form of rain on Friday.

Beware of carbon monoxide

If you do have to drive, Montreal Public Health is issuing a warning: beward of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Given the significant presence of CO in exhaust gas, do not start the engine of your car before removing the snow from around the exhaust pipe around the vehicle to prevent exhaust gas from accumulating under the vehicle and creeping inside in potentially lethal concentrations," said Dr. Richard Masse of the organization. "Also, do not leave your car engine running inside a garage, even if you leave the door open."

Masse also warned about carbon monoxide poisoning in the home due to increased heating and reduced ventilation.

Dangerous levels of CO are produced when a heating system, a motor, a device or tool operated with fuel is defective, improperly installed, poorly maintained or when used in an enclosed or poorly ventilated area.

Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and non-irritating, meaning toxic effects can occur before you suspect its presence. Exposure to this gas can have very serious and debilitating consequences, including death.

Masse said the best method of combatting carbon monoxide poisoning is through installing a CO alarm next to or above a garage.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may resemble those of the flu or gastroenteritis. Slight intoxication can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Severe poisoning can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and even death.

In cases of suspected poisoning , stop the combustion source if possible, open doors and windows, then evacuate and contact Info-Santé by dialing 811.

With files from La Presse Canadienne