IS IT REALLY WINTER WITHOUT SNOW?

Many take advantage of significant snowfall, but Environment Canada expects clearer skies ahead

Victoria Pearce’s headband gets a dusting as she walks her dog and gazes up to survey the falling snow in Gage Park Tuesday morning. January got off to a late start but made up for lost time Tuesday with the first significant snowfall of the year in the area. Spectator photographers fanned out across the city to capture the scene. Story and photos

After a blast of winter has passed, it’s back to what has seemingly become regularly scheduled programming for weather on Wednesday.

The city was under a winter travel advisory for much of the day Tuesday as a blanket of snow covered the city.

Five to 10 centimetres of snow was expected to fall across Hamilton, with amounts closer to 15 cm possible for the escarpment. The snow had all but tapered off by the afternoon and the advisory was cancelled around 3 p.m.

But it did mean an opportunity for plenty of snow-related activities.

Hamilton police Const. Jerome Stewart said officers responded to at least 12 collisions across the region. All were minor in nature, he added.

Gerald Cheng, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the snow that blanketed the city Tuesday was a “one-day” event and by morning, skies will be clear.

Despite clear skies, Stewart said police are reminding motorists to make sure their cars are cleared off and that they take their time on the morning commute.

As for temperatures, Cheng said they’ll be “seasonal” and the drive to work will be “a lot more pleasant.”

Temperatures will be icy in the morning with a low of -13 with the wind chill, but with the help of the sunshine, the temperatures could spring up to a high of -3 C.

The skies will be overcast and winds will be light.

Heading into Wednesday evening, the winds will stick around and temperatures could drop to -16 C overnight with the wind chill.

As for the rest of the week, temperatures will remain cold but in the normal range of -2 to -10 C.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR

CATHIE COWARD THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR A man skis across the open field between two baseball diamonds at the back of Dundas Driving Park Tuesday during the storm.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Maris Ozols helps his stepson Mason Drews, 7, build a snow fort in Gage Park. Mason was on a two-hour break from his online classes.

BARRY GRAY THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Four-and-a-half-year-old Tristen has a laugh sliding down the hill at Chedoke Golf Course.

BARRY GRAY THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Fan Xiao Man works on her quartet of snowmen in the front yard of a home on Whitney Avenue.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR An electric scooter rider negotiates Cannon Street Tuesday morning during the heaviest of the snowfall.

CATHIE COWARD THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Bianca, Isaac and Nyla Aquilina head down the hill in Dundas Driving Park after getting a push from mom.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Mae Mae out in the snow at Gage Park.