Winter storm warning ends as northeast digs out from first major snowstorm

The winter storm warning in the northeast has ended Wednesday shortly before noon following the first major snowstorm of the year that prompted many school bus cancellations.

Snow continued to fall in much of northeastern Ontario on Wednesday morning as residents dig out from the huge dumping received overnight.

Man snowblowing in front of his home in New Sudbury following the first major storm of the year. Jan. 10/24 (Chelsea Papineau/CTV Northern Ontario)

Winter storm warnings remained in effect from Massey east to Mattawa and Key River north to Cochrane until about 11:30 a.m. while snowfall warnings were issued for Gogama and Foleyet. Those have also ended.

An additional two to five centimetres of snow is expected Jan. 10 before it tapers off in the afternoon.

Wind gusts up to 60 km/h continue creating blowing snow, poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

While temperatures in the northeast are slightly above average, the wind chill will make the air feel a lot colder.

"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays," the Environment Canada weather alert said.

"If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop."

AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL

The Greater Sudbury area received 17.6 cm of snow on Tuesday.

As residents begin digging out, The City of Greater Sudbury declared a 'Significant Weather Event' at 9 a.m. Jan. 10.

"This declaration is not necessarily a notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure; it is to notify drivers and pedestrians to use an appropriate level of caution when travelling during this event and avoid unnecessary travel," the city said in a news release.

"City staff continue to work diligently to ensure public safety, but it may take longer than normal to maintain the roadways and sidewalks normally maintained during this season."

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As a result of the storm cleanup, garbage pickup may be affected and residents may experience a delay. 

"Residents are reminded that regular winter waste placement requires that waste be placed in a visible location on the ground as close to the roadway as possible," the city said.

"Please do not place waste on top of or behind snowbanks, on the sidewalk, on travelled roadway or in any area that would interfere with road or sidewalk maintenance."

Leisure services and transit run by the city may also be affected.

The city ended the significant weather event at 1 p.m. Wednesday and said winter road maintenance will resume within the standard timeline.

"Please continue to use caution as conditions may vary from area to area," the city said in an update.

SCHOOL BUSES CANCELLED

All four bus consortiums in the northeast announced school bus cancellations Wednesday. Most schools remain open when service is cancelled, but families are responsible for transporting students to and from school when this occurs.

School buses from Blind River east to the North Bay area, including Greater Sudbury, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Massey, are cancelled.

"School buses are cancelled from Cochrane to Temagami which includes Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Englehart, Kerns, New Liskeard, Haileybury, Cobalt, Elk Lake and Temagami," the North East Tri-Board Student Transportation said Jan. 10.