Between Thursday’s storm and Sunday’s blizzard, almost 80 cm of snow blanketed Montreal.
The unprecedented amount is record-breaking for the city, going back all the way to 1941 when record-keeping began.
As the mayor of Montreal wrote in an Instagram post:
"Montreal has received 74 cm of snow since last Thursday—a historic situation. The last time the city saw this much snow in such a short period dates back to the 1950s. I understand, however, that the daily lives of many citizens are being disrupted. Please know that our snow removal teams are on the ground, working tirelessly to restore traffic flow and ensure our streets remain accessible. The @SPVM is also present to ensure everyone's safety.
Travel will be challenging this week, but the situation will gradually improve. The snow removal operation is underway and will take several days due to the significant amount of snow. We encourage citizens who can to work from home and limit their travel. We have also decided to suspend waste collection for one week. This will improve traffic flow and facilitate the work of the teams on the ground.
I understand that this situation is difficult for many people. I want to reassure you—we are doing everything in our power to manage this exceptional situation. I also want to thank the employees of the City of Montreal who have been working tirelessly for days to ensure safe travel for all Montrealers."
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Almost 25,000 people are currently without power in Montreal, and snow-clearing operations could take up to 8 days.
The extreme weather has resulted in almost 50% of flights cancelled out of Montreal's international airport, and Via Rail also cancelled service on some of its routes.
Is Montreal suspending garbage, recycling and compost pickup?
Montreal has suspended garbage, recycling and compost pickup in order to focus on clearing roads and sidewalks.
Residents are being asked to work from home in the days ahead to make the snow removal task easier.
What is the biggest snowfall in Montreal?
It was dubbed the "Storm of the Century," bringing Montreal's heaviest 24-hour snowfall on record with 43 cm falling on March 4, contributing to a total of 47 cm.
This record stood until it was surpassed on December 27, 2012.
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