Snowblowers, dump trucks a rare sight this winter

‘We can always have surprises,’ says city spokesperson

Despite the scene of white outside right now, the numbers recorded to date tell a different story: this has been a pathetic excuse for winter.

For November, December, January and much of February, average temperatures have been around 3C warmer than the seasonal norms, and as high as 4.7C during balmy November.

In that month, we had 25 millimetres less rain than normal and 13.7 centimetres less snow.

In December, we saw 60.9 mm more rain and 28.5 cm less snow than average.

January saw three mm more of rain and 5.1 cm more snow than the norm, but February – before Friday – was a bust as far as rain and snow are concerned: 11.8 mm less rain and 38.9 cm less snow.

The frequency of rain and freezing rain this winter has meant that snow-clearing operations have focused more on the spreading of abrasives (though many would argue that wasn’t optimal, based on anecdotal stories about falls and slips on ice-coated sidewalks).

What we haven’t seen often is the usual parade of snowblowers followed by a snaking line of dump trucks carting the white stuff away.

“In 2011, there were four more major snow operations than the year before. In 2012, there have been fewer snow-clearing operations,” said city of Montreal spokesperson Valérie Desgagné.

“We have had only two – Jan. 13 (after 16 cm fell) and Feb. 1 (after 10.4 cm) – and usually by this time of year, we have done 3.5 major snow clearings.”

Snow-clearing equipment hits the streets after a snowfall of at least 10 cm. The city signs deals with outside truck contractors based on annual snowfall of 200 cm.

With less than half of that hav-

“In 2011, there were four more major snow operations than the year before. In 2012, there have been fewer snow-clearing operations.” VALÉRIE DESGAGNÉ

ing fallen, the natural conclusion is that we will save money on snow removal, but Desgagné cautioned that winter is not over yet – as evidenced by Friday’s storm.

“We can always have surprises,” she said.

There are still three full weeks of what is officially deemed winter to get through. By law, your winter tires can come off as of March 15.

DARIO AYALA THE GAZETTE Despite a fresh snowfall in Montreal on Friday, February has seen 38.9 cm less of the white stuff than normal, and 11.9 mm less rain.