Environment Canada has lifted its snowfall warning for Hamilton and the region Wednesday afternoon following a day of heavy snowfall, but the accumulated mess - all 24 centimetres of it - is expected to continue causing traffic and transit disruptions for commuters coming back home.
"We've just seen the last few flakes, so it's all over," Marie-Ève Giguère, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC Hamilton Wednesday afternoon.
The snowfall warning was lifted at 4:39 p.m, Giguère said.
However, Hamilton commuters who were delayed by the weather this morning should be prepared for a slower trip home, as the winter storm continues to cause closures across the region.
Hamilton police have shut down Linc at Garth, Upper James and Upper Wentworth streets. Police spokesperson Debbie McGreal-Dinning said on Twitter that there were multiple cars in ditches and conditions are "very messy."
GO Transit is reporting delays up to two hours and numerous disruptions.
The 16 Hamilton/Toronto Express GO Bus has been temporarily suspended. Passengers will be accommodated by GO Bus from Hamilton to Aldershot with GO Train connections to Union Station.
As of 5 p.m., local school buses are experiencing 12 delays, down from more than 70 delays an hour ago. The delays on affected routes range from 25 to 60 minutes. For a full list of routes and delays, visit Hamilton Wentworth Student Transportation Services's update.
In town, closures and cancellations are also mounting.
As of 3 p.m., the city has closed all city facilities and buildings, including all recreation centres and civic museum, due to weather conditions.
A number of meetings and services are also affected. For a full list of closures, read the city's weather update here.
YMCA branches in Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford remain open, but all classes after 5 p.m. have been cancelled. Police chief cautions motorists
McMaster University will close early at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, citing "persistent inclement weather," the university announced Wednesday afternoon.
Mohawk College will also close early at 4:00 p.m.
The city's announcement came shortly after police chief Glenn De Caire issued a snow advisory warning to Hamilton motorists Wednesday afternoon.
De Caire asked drivers to use "extreme caution" when on the road and park in driveways and parking lots whenever possible to allow snow removal operations.
De Caire also asked motorists to stay back from snow removal equipment and give operators room to "safely perform their difficult snow removing tasks."
Parked vehicles that violate municipal bylaws will be subject to removal, the chief added. 20 cm of snow possible
A significant amount of snow will be dumped on Hamilton on Wednesday, Environment Canada warns. The snowfall warning issued Tuesday night has been continued for Wednesday morning, and a cold alert has been added for Wednesday night as temperatures plunge.
Snow is expected to fall heavily at times into the afternoon in many areas. Gusty northeast winds are also expected to develop and will result in local blowing snow.
"Travellers should allow considerable extra time due to accumulating snow and reduced visibility in falling and blowing snow, and consider delaying travel if possible," Environment Canada said in a statement.
Total snow amounts of 15 cm are likely throughout southern Ontario with amounts of 20 cm possible in the Hamilton and Niagara regions before the snow tapers off from west to east this afternoon.
And if the snow wasn't enough winter, the city's medical officer of health has issued a cold weather alert for Wednesday night. That happens when current or anticipated weather conditions are at or below - 15 C or - 20 C with the wind chill.
The forecasted low for Wednesday night is - 17 C.
Temperatures in January were about - 4 C colder than average, which is very frigid for a sustained period, says Dave Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada. The extended cold is really starting to get to people, he told CBC Hamilton.
"I think that's really what's driving that weather rage," he said. "It's really a throwback to winters of the past."
Mild days have been few and far between, and without some interludes between intense cold, this winter seems even more unbearable, Phillips says.
Send us your snowy-day photos and we'll add them to our photo gallery.
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