Prince Edward County in a snow globe Tuesday; recycling and snow removal delayed

UPDATE: As beautiful as it was covering trees and landscapes, the snow fall Tuesday was relentless, caused delays, closures, accidents and cancellations – but overall was still just a glimmer of the oft-recalled blizzard of ’77 that shut the County down for some time.

Environment Canada had issued a snow squall warning for the County – with double the snow amount expected elsewhere, at 10 to 20 cm (about 4 to 8 inches) though many parts of the County reported much more had fallen by late afternoon. For part of the afternoon, snow seemed to be piling up as fast as it was being removed.

The County had declared a significant weather event here, to alert residents clean up may take longer than usual. It also cancelled Tuesday night’s council meeting, moving it to Thursday night. (UDATE: Significant weather event ended Jan. 28 morning)

Environmental E360 Solutions Ltd. informed the municipality recycling in the south end of Hallowell ward will not be collected. Collection service also did not occur on Ways Landing Road and Benham Place Road. Recycling is to be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 28. People with questions should contact e360 at customerservice-eastont@e360s.ca or by phone 1.866.358.3560.

Heavy snow throughout the day and high winds that caused drifts and poor visibility, caused roads and walkways throughout the municipality to be difficult to navigate.

While there were many reports of vehicles stranded, and off the roads because of whiteouts, Highway 401 was closed in both directions between Wallbridge Loyalist Road on Belleville’s western border and Northumberland’s County Road 30 to Brighton because of several collisions involving about 50 vehicles, according to Ontario Provincial Police. Buses were used to transport the stranded to the Trenton arena to warm up and make further arrangements.

During the significant weather event, the County advises residents to use extra caution as the municipality may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads and sidewalks due to the heavy snow.

The declaration does not change how or when the municipality performs its winter maintenance operations. However, it may take the municipality longer than usual to bring the roads back to a state of repair.

Snow removal along roadsides is expected to take place Tuesday over night in Picton. Residents are asked to refrain from parking on the street after 7 pm to allow for an easy snow removal process.

Double the snow expected with squalls as old-fashioned winter lingers

JAN 27: A watch has become a warning for snow squalls in the Quinte area and Prince Edward County is forecast to receive double the amount of snow.

This storm follows Sunday’s approximate 40cm in an old-fashioned winter that has produced much snow and several storms since early December. Today’s is the ninth day school buses have been cancelled in January.

Flurries and blowing snow squalls could bring 10-20 cm of snow Tuesday with winds gusting up to 70 km/h. Today’s high is to be -10 while the wind chill goes from -24 this morning to -19 this afternoon.

Tonight there’s a 40 per cent forecast for flurries to continue with wind gusts to 40 km/h. Wind chill is to be -19 in the evening and -26 overnight.

The risk of snow squalls is to continue Wednesday – local amount 5-10 cm.