Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara Recover from Sunday’s Intense Snowstorm
Residents in the Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara regions are recovering from an intense snowstorm that struck on Sunday. The storm, which raged for most of the day, deposited between 10 and 50 centimeters of snow across various areas, leading to widespread disruptions on Monday.
Snowfall Impact and Measurements
The snowstorm was particularly harsh in Burlington, where reports indicated a staggering 46 centimeters fell. This figure was confirmed by Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, who stated that snow was light and fluffy, complicating measurements. Other areas, like Hamilton and Niagara, saw accumulations ranging from 10 to 20 centimeters, while downtown Toronto faced even higher totals of 56 centimeters.
- Burlington: 46 cm
- Hamilton and Niagara: 10 to 20 cm
- Downtown Toronto: 56 cm
- Mississauga: ~50 cm
- Pearson Airport: 46.2 cm (record for single-day snowfall)
School Closures and Service Interruptions
The heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of public and Catholic schools across Hamilton, Halton, and Niagara on Monday. Many school boards also postponed secondary exams by one day. McMaster University, along with Brock University, Mohawk College, and Niagara College, also canceled in-person classes.
Public services faced significant interruptions. Canada Post announced that mail delivery in the Hamilton and Niagara areas would be suspended, citing employee safety as a priority. All city libraries in Hamilton opened later than usual, with many recreational programs canceled to support facilities designated as warming centers.
Road Conditions and Safety Warnings
Road conditions remained treacherous, prompting local police to advise residents to minimize travel if possible. Reports indicated slick and icy roads, particularly on Highway 403 between Hamilton and Burlington. Between Sunday and Monday morning, the Niagara Regional Police received 27 calls related to the storm.
- Niagara Regional Police: 27 calls for service
- Safety tips: Clear snow from vehicles
- Consider a winter emergency kit when driving
Parking Bans and Future Weather Forecast
To facilitate snow removal, several municipalities instituted street parking bans. St. Catharines, Niagara, Thorold, and Pelham implemented their bans, generally starting Sunday evening. Burlington also announced a parking ban effective on Sunday night.
Looking ahead, Environment Canada has issued warnings concerning “bitterly cold conditions” expected late Monday into Tuesday morning. Wind chills could make temperatures feel as cold as -30 degrees Celsius. The persistent winter conditions suggest that residents in Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara should prepare for more snow in the coming weeks.
