Ottawa residents woke up to a transformed city over the weekend as the season's first significant snowfall blanketed the capital in white, though climatologists warn the winter scenery will be short-lived.
Record-Breaking Snowfall
The National Capital Region experienced an historic weather event on Sunday when nearly 12 centimeters of snow accumulated at Ottawa International Airport. This measurement established a new record for the snowiest November 9 in the city's recorded history, breaking a record that had stood since 1897.
The previous record of 10.2 centimeters had remained unchallenged for over a century until Sunday's winter storm delivered 11.7 centimeters of fresh snow. The timing of this snowfall aligns with typical seasonal expectations for the region, though last year's first measurable snow didn't arrive until December 1.
Short-Lived Winter Wonderland
Despite the impressive accumulation, Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips advises residents not to get too attached to the winter landscape. Above-freezing temperatures and rainfall forecasted for the coming days are expected to quickly melt away the snow.
"This is not your white Christmas snowfall," Phillips cautioned. "Don't wax your skis, because you're not going to ski on this kind of snow." The climatologist emphasized that daily snowfall records, while notable, don't necessarily indicate unusual seasonal patterns.
Phillips pointed to historical data showing much heavier snowfalls have occurred earlier in the season, including 29.2 centimeters on October 2, 1988, and 25.6 centimeters on November 4, 1993.
Safety Concerns and Transportation Impacts
The combination of snow and strong winds created challenging conditions across the region. Wind gusts reaching 30 kilometers per hour significantly reduced visibility at the Ottawa airport to less than one kilometer on Sunday night, compared to the typical 24 kilometers expected on clear days.
The hazardous driving conditions resulted in numerous collisions throughout the area. Ontario Provincial Police reported responding to more than 120 collisions between noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, with 19 incidents occurring within Ottawa city limits.
Most accidents involved vehicles sliding off roadways, prompting police to remind drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly prepared for winter conditions. OPP shared an image of a vehicle with iced-over tires that had lost control in the snowy weather, emphasizing the importance of proper winter tire maintenance.
While the snow created picturesque scenes along popular routes like the Mud Lake Trail, where residents were spotted enjoying snowy walks with their dogs, the practical impacts served as a reminder that winter driving precautions become necessary even during early season snow events.
