Ottawa’s record snow day: Three ways of picturing White Tuesday’s aftermath
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Ottawa's big snow day: Three ways of picturing the aftermath
By Tuesday night, 51.2 centimetres of snow had fallen on Ottawa –
setting a new record for the biggest single-day snowfall. Here's how the city coped
EVAN ANNETT
This article was published more than 8 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.
People walk on Parliament Hill during the snowstorm.
CHRIS WATTIE/REUTERS
VS. THE REST OF WINTER
In one day, Ottawa saw more snow than had fallen in the whole previous month. The city has seen a fair share of rain and mild weather so far this winter. Environment Canada said Tuesday's snow was at times piling up at a rate of four centimetres per hour.
The previous Feb. 16 record was 39.6 centimetres in 1954, and the all-time single-day record was 40.6 cm on March 2, 1947.
VS. THE WILDLIFE
The average height of a raccoon on all fours is 25 to 30 cm. Tuesday's snowfall would have been enough to bury one, though a larger raccoon might be able to surface its head by standing on its hind legs.
TOM CARDOSO/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Don't worry, though: Ottawa's raccoons are probably okay. In cold or snowy weather they can stay in their dens for weeks at a time in a state of torpor, or short-term hibernation.
VS. SOCIAL MEDIA
With schoolbus service closed (but schools still open) on Wednesday, Ottawans were digging out their snowy sidewalks and driveways to get ready for the day. Here's what the aftermath looked like on social media.
A photo posted by bing bing gumapac (@lovelbhingjean) on
With a report from The Canadian Press
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