On Sunday, several areas of southern Ontario and Quebec experienced their first snowfall of the season, prompting special weather statements from Environment Canada. The federal agency issued advisories stretching from London, Ontario, in the southwest to Ottawa in the east as a low-pressure system moved through the region.
Light snow fell consistently throughout the day in Toronto, where meteorologists anticipated an accumulation of an additional two to four centimeters by the evening. In contrast, Ottawa was expected to receive a significantly higher amount of snowfall, ranging from 10 to 20 centimeters. Meanwhile, Montreal was forecasted to see snowflakes transition into freezing rain and ultimately rain later in the evening.
Residents in Montreal were preparing for the weather shift. Bianca Hernandez, who works at a bank, expressed her mixed feelings about the first hints of winter. "It’s nice, but I’m dreading the cold for the next few months," she remarked. She planned to adjust her routine by bringing an extra pair of boots to work and waking up earlier to navigate any snow accumulations that might extend her commute. "In the summer, it was nice, but now it’s going to be super cold, and I’m not excited for that," she added.
Weather-related disruptions extended beyond personal commutes. NAV Canada, the country's air navigation service provider, reported flight delays at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport and Toronto's Pearson International Airport due to the inclement weather. In their social media updates, NAV Canada assured that their teams were working to move aircraft as safely and swiftly as possible. However, they cited the lack of available resources as contributing to the delays, a situation that also affected travel the previous weekend in Toronto.
The snowfall had an impact on local events as well, notably during the Canadian Premier League’s North Star Cup match in Ottawa. A heavy snowfall resulted in snowplows being called to clear the soccer field at TD Place after the game went into extra time between Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC from Calgary. Fans of Atlético threw snowballs at the visiting team's players when Calgary scored in the 33rd minute of play, adding an unexpected element of excitement to the match amidst the snowy backdrop.
Further east, other regions of eastern Ontario, including Cornwall, Brockville, and Kingston, remained under freezing rain warnings for most of Sunday. However, these warnings were lifted later in the day as temperatures dropped and forecasts predicted potential flurries or additional snowfall. Additionally, snowstorm warnings were issued for various areas of eastern Quebec.
In light of the adverse weather conditions, Environment Canada advised motorists to reconsider their travel plans due to challenging driving conditions. The agency suggested that drivers should consider installing winter tires to enhance safety during the snowy conditions.
Anticipating the plummeting temperatures, the City of Toronto proactively opened new shelter spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness as the temperature was expected to dip to -5°C on Sunday. These essential measures reflect the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents amid the onset of winter weather.
