The biggest winter storm of the season has cancelled classes, forced flight cancellations, and turned roads and sidewalks across Ottawa and eastern Ontario into snow drifts.
The Winter Storm Warning for Ottawa, Gatineau and eastern Ontario has ended.
As of 7:00 a.m., 29 cm of snow fell at the Ottawa Airport. The original warning, issued late Monday, called for up to 40 cm.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ryan Rozinskis says Wednesday afternoon's forecast will not be entirely clear.
"During the afternoon, we're still looking at the potential for scattered flurries, along with blowing snow over exposed areas. Still looking at some flurries continuing through the evening, but not really looking at any accumulation from that."
The City of Ottawa is asking residents to stay off the roads Wednesday, to allow crews to clear the snow off roads and sidewalks.
All school boards in Ottawa and much of eastern Ontario have closed schools for the day, as did boards in the Outaouais region. Kingston schools remained open but school buses were cancelled.
The University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College have cancelled classes until late this afternoon.
Roads manager Luc Gagne tells Newstalk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll cancelling classes helped plows clear the snow and, as of 8:45 a.m., the main streets were clear and work on residentials was beginning.
The city reported early this morning that its 311 Service was experiencing high call volumes. The city asked that “please only call the service if the matter is urgent.”
Residential curbside waste pickup has been cancelled Wednesday and will resume Thursday, with collection delayed by one day this week.
The City's overnight parking ban continues. There will be no parking on city streets without a permit between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The local ODSP office on Preston St. says it will be closed Wednesday and will reopen Thursday. Anyone with an urgent question is asked to call 1-800-267-0834.
Ottawa had already received 215.3 cm of snow this winter, including a record 101.8 cm in January.
With files from CTV Ottawa.