Record snow storm blankets Ottawa; cold is on the way

Record snowfall followed by bitter cold Early arrival of winter cancels school buses and has residents scrambling to adjust to changing conditions. CTV's Leah Larocque reports.

OTTAWA - Ottawa is digging out from a record breaking November snowstorm.

A total of 14.4 cm of snow has fallen on Ottawa since Monday afternoon.

Environment Canada reports 9.4 cm of snow fell at the Ottawa Airport on Monday, setting a record for the greatest snowfall on November 11 in Ottawa history. The previous record was 5.2 cm set back in 1983.

Another 5 cm of snow fell overnight, adding to the fresh blanket of snow on the ground.

As the snow fell, the city’s fleet of snowplows prepared for the first storm of the winter.

Director of Roads & Parking Services Laila Gibbons says the city will deploy crews “as needed” to clear roads and sidewalks for the morning commute.

There are over 500 city employees trained and ready to be deployed for snow clearing operations.

Gibbons says the city has made some changes to its deployment strategy during storms this winter, with a focus on the sidewalk network.

The snow Monday evening slowed the commute across the city. Emergency crews responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the Queensway near Nicholas around 5 p.m. Two people were transported to hospital for treatment.

The Ottawa Airport is reporting a few delays and cancellations this morning due to the storm. As of 3 a.m., the airport reported four flight cancellations today and a half-dozen flight delays.

Air Canada is advising passengers to check the flight status before heading to the airport.

For the latest on school bus cancellations and school closures, click here.

The temperature overnight Tuesday is expected to plummet to -24 degrees.