Ottawa's Crazy Snow Last Night Just Shattered A 36 Year Old Record (PHOTOS)

After over 10 cm fell overnight, Ottawa’s record-breaking November snowfall is causing havoc in the capital city today, as the snowstorm has cancelled school buses, caused several flight delays and cancellations and has affected hundreds of travellers’ morning commutes. Now, locals are taking to social media to share photos and videos of the unusually heavy early-November snowfall, and it looks like winter has definitely landed!

As of midnight, Environment Canada reported the official snow total at the Ottawa airport was a record-breaking 9.4 centimetres, which has gradually built to 14.4 cm since Monday afternoon.

This snowfall has now officially set the record for the greatest snowfall on November 11 in recorded history, smashing the previous record of 5.2 cm, which was set back in November 1983.

As the snow fell overnight, Ottawa’s roads became slippery and dangerous, and by 8 a.m. Ottawa police had already reported 13 crashes. 

Although all schools in the city remain open, school buses have been kept off of the road across the city, including buses for English- and French-language schools in both the public and Catholic boards.

Ottawa Airport is also reporting several flight delays and cancellations this morning, due to the hazardous conditions left by the snowstorm. As of early this morning, the airport reported four flight cancellations and at least six flight delays.

Taking to social media to share their experiences with the weather, many Ottawans shared photos and videos of the unusually heavy early-November snowfall.

One Twitter user posted a photo of the school bus cancellations in her area, writing “School buses cancelled for Ottawa and surrounds. Quite likely our earliest snow day ever?"

Another shared a wild story about his drive from Ottawa to Toronto last night, explaining, “What’s traditionally a four-hour drive back to Ottawa from Toronto took me just about 9 hours ..."

He went on, "Highway conditions were beyond treacherous ... Big shout out to all the snow plows working the streets."

Another Ottawan shared a picture of their snow-covered backyard this morning, writing, "My deck lights have stupid little hats!"

Another added, "Not gonna lie. Snow like this in mid November kinda sucks, but it sure is pretty!"

With even more snow expected to fall in Ottawa throughout the rest of this week, it looks like winter has unofficially arrived early.

Grab your hats, snowboots and shovels, it has begun!

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