Ontario and Quebec dig out of massive snowstorm as Prairies prepare for more ice and snow

Residents across parts of Ontario and Quebec are recovering from a winter wallop that could take days to clean up. After leaving drivers stranded and schools closed, both provinces are now digging their way out of the biggest winter storm of the season.

Snow removal crews are out in full force in Ottawa as they begin the process of clearing residential streets out from under a record amount of snow. By the end of the day on Monday, a total of 48 centimetres fell across the city.

With 13,000 kilometres of roadway to clear, officials say the cleanup will likely roll into Wednesday to include residential streets as well as sidewalks. A 24-hour winter parking ban is also now in effect.

Monday began with heavy snowfall for residents of Ottawa; starting at 8 a.m., about 12 centimetres of snow had fallen within the hour. By 5 p.m., Ottawa International Airport saw 47 centimetres of snow, according to Environment Canada, eclipsing the record snowfall of 11.7 centimetres set on the same day in 1972. The city of Toronto reported a similar amount of snow, with different neighbourhoods seeing anywhere from 40 to 48 centimetres.

Several regions across the southern part of the province were under a blizzard warning from Environment Canada on Monday due to high winds and poor visibility, including Toronto, York, Peel, Hamilton, Halton and Durham regions. Up to 55 centimetres of snow fell in certain parts of the province.