Snowfall blankets Ottawa, slows down afternoon commute

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Another winter storm blankets Ottawa during rush hour

Tuesday 6 p.m. weather update

An expected winter storm set to drop up to 12 centimetres of snow onto Ottawa arrived later than predicted on Tuesday afternoon, and while snowfall was steady, accumulation appeared to be low as of the early evening.

Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement for Ottawa, calling for 5 to 10 centimetres of snow during the day Tuesday, and another two centimetres of snow in the evening.

The statement ended just after 6 p.m.

Here is what you need to know about the storm’s impact on Ottawa as of Tuesday evening.

• The snow began falling in Ottawa at 1 p.m.
• The City of Ottawa warns snowplow operations could be slowed by heavy accumulation and traffic during the commute.
• School buses were cancelled across Ottawa and eastern Ontario
• Between 3 and 4 cm of snow was reported between Ottawa and Gatineau as of 6 p.m.

Here is how the storm unfolded during the day:

6:20 p.m. - Ramp reopens at Woodroffe

The on-ramp closure to Highway 417 eastbound at Woodroffe Avenue was cleared at around 6:20 p.m.

Snow still covered some parts of the highway, but traffic was largely moving normally.

6:07 p.m. - Special weather statement ends

Environment Canada ended the special weather statement for Ottawa and the surrounding region.

Light snow continued to fall on the city at 6 p.m.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for snow ending this evening then cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries and a risk of freezing drizzle late this evening and overnight.

As of 6 p.m., the Ottawa airport had seen 3 cm of snow, according to Environment Canada. The Gatineau airport recorded 4 cm of snow.

5:30 p.m. - Collision closes Woodroffe on-ramp

A crash closed the eastbound on-ramp to Highway 417 at Woodroffe Avenue, adding to the already difficult commute.

Ottawa paramedics say one person was assessed at the scene and treated for minor injuries but did not go to the hospital.

Paramedics also responded to collisions on Highway 417 at Maitland Avenue and Highway 416 at Highway 417, each with minor injuries reported.

5:00 p.m. - NCC keeping Skateway clear

The National Capital Commission (NCC) says crews will be working through the night to move snow off the Rideau Canal Skateway.

“For every 1 cm of snowfall, our crews move 125,000 kg of snow off the Skateway,” the NCC said in a post on social media.

The green flag still flies on the Rideau Canal Skateway, but ice conditions are considered “snow covered” across its entire 7.8 km length.

“Please remember to keep a safe distance while maintenance operations are underway,” the NCC said.

4:15 p.m. - First snowfall total

Environment Canada says the Ottawa airport was reporting 2 cm of snow as of 4 p.m., with the Gatineau airport showing 3 cm since snowfall began.

Local amounts in parts of the region could be higher.

3 p.m. - Special weather statement

Environment Canada has updated its special weather statement, calling for a “period of heavy snow” through this evening.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. There may be an impact on rush hour traffic,” the weather agency said.

2:40 p.m. OC Transpo

OC Transpo is warning there may be some delays on bus routes due to the snow.

“Snow is apparently clocking in for its afternoon shift!” OC Transpo said.

“Plan ahead and allow extra time. Be cautious when boarding, exiting, and at the station platforms.”

OC Transpo says the following bus stops are temporarily out of service due to the weather:

• Chesterton/Meadowlands (4027)
• Carling/Sherwood (7367)
• Carling/Grenon (6441)
• Bayview B (3060)
• Albert/Bay (3004)
• Bayswater/Somerset W (8032)
• Montreal/Den Haag (1565)
• Data Centre/Billings Bridge (1152)

1:10 p.m. Snow begins in Ottawa’s west end

Snow has been reported in Ottawa’s west end, as the system moves into the national capital region.

10:20 a.m. No parking ban in Ottawa

The City of Ottawa has not called a winter weather parking ban for tonight or Wednesday due to the snow.

“Given the timing of this event and accumulation amounts remain variable, we have decided not to call a Winter Weather Parking Ban,” city staff said on Ottawa.ca.

The City of Gatineau has issued a winter weather parking ban between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

10 a.m. – Ottawa roads

The City of Ottawa says its snowplows will be deployed once the snow starts to fly today, but it will be a slow process.

“Our main goal for this one will be to plow snow, because with this heavy, heavy accumulation of traffic it will be tough,” Bryden Denyes, Ottawa’s roads manager, told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s the Morning Rush with Bill Carroll.

“But our main goal will be to get units out there plowing, trying to clear as much snow off of the road as we can before we get to that gridlock, potential, during the evening commute home.”

According to the city, the focus will be on clearing and treating sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network first.

6:00 a.m. - School bus cancellations

School buses are cancelled for all schools in Ottawa and eastern Ontario today. Schools are open.

• School buses cancelled in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Tuesday

Buses are cancelled for the following schools:

• The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
• Ottawa Catholic School Board
• Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
• Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
• Upper Canada District School Board
• Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
• Renfrew County District School Board
• Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
• French-language schools in Arnprior, Brockville, Carleton Place, Almonte, Pembroke, Prescott-Russell, Marionville, Merrickville, Kemptville and Ottawa