Snow removal operations are continuing this week, the City of Hamilton says, following significant snowfall over the weekend that dumped about 31 centimetres of snow in the area in two days.
A spokesperson for the city says crews have begun removing snow around schools and in business improvement areas.
In an email to CBC News Tuesday afternoon, Lauren Vastano said an estimated time for complete work, including snow removal, was still under review.
It typically takes 48 hours to get roads plowed and in good shape, but she said clearing is taking longer due to the amount of snow.
There were no Environment Canada alerts in effect for Hamilton and surrounding areas Wednesday morning, but Vastano said the city’s declaration of a significant weather event remains in effect.
‘Snow clearing will continue into this week’
“Road crews are working around the clock to clear roads, sidewalks, transit stops, and school zones,” Vastano wrote in the statement. “Snow clearing will continue into this week.”
The city is urging residents to use caution near schools and allow extra time for travel.
“Where possible, residents are reminded to keep vehicles off the road following snowfall to allow plows and emergency vehicles to get through more easily,” Vastano said.
Crews are focusing on major roads and are also continuing to clear residential streets, sidewalks, transit stops and school zones, Vastano said.
“Crews are working 24/7 to make areas as safe as possible,” she said, while thanking residents for their patience and caution near schools as this work continues.
It’s mainly cloudy in Hamilton on Wednesday with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. Today’s forecast high is -7 C, but it feels like -16 with the wind chill, Environment Canada says.
Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with the federal weather agency, told CBC Hamilton on Wednesday that the cold temperatures will stick around for some time.
“The concern in the coming days for the Hamilton area is not necessarily snowfall amounts, but bitter cold,” Coulson said.
“We’re looking at temperatures much colder than normal for the next few days. The wind is gonna make it feel even colder than that with fairly significant wind chill values.”