Many residents woke up to snow first thing this morning, after another storm rolled through overnight.
For many, enough is enough. That’s true for Bob Racine of Barrie.
“I've lost count on how many times I've had to shovel my driveway,” says Racine. “It seems like a daily occurrence this winter. I'd like to see spring show up.”
So would the owners of the Barrie Garden Centre. They thought spring was here, but the snow not only put a chill on sales, it cost them money in more ways than one.
“Yesterday we put our tractor in to be serviced thinking that there wouldn't be any more snow so I had to phone a local landscaper to plough our driveway for us,” says Warren Paterson.
Environment Canada says as much as 23 centimeters of snow fell in our region last night, which qualifies as a big spring storm. On average the City of Barrie receives as much as 28.1 centimeters of snow during the month of March. The city received almost that much last night.
While some took their time clearing the snow, others didn't bother to try to clear it. But not everyone is unhappy with the spring snow.
“We're selling a lot of skidoos right now,” says Sean Ward at St. Onge Recreation. “It's the winter that just keeps giving. We're doing a lot of spring orders right now for the 2015 skidoos so it's been a strong selling season for us.”
Most years, ATVs would be the hot recreation item in March.
St. Onge recreation isn't the only winter business that's extended into spring. Travel agencies’ sun and sand destinations are benefitting too.
“Around the end of March we look to Europe travel now,” says Gloria Moore at Goliger's Travel. “Instead we're still booking people going away for sun holidays. They just want to get away from this terrible winter.”
Racine agrees.
“That's why I booked a trip to Mexico for me and my wife,” he says. “We leave in two weeks.”
More than 20 centimetres of snow fell on Orillia, Sebright, and Coldwater yesterday after an intense storm swept across Southern Ontario into New York State.
Environment Canada says that wide variation is a “clear example of the huge differences in weather conditions that may be observed over the years in early spring across Southern Ontario.”
The late-season dump hit many areas from Lake Huron east across Simcoe County and into the National Capital Region.
Snow was heavy in many areas for hours, and almost five centimetres falling on average per hour. The following snowfall totals were reported as of 1 p.m.:
- Orillia – 23
- Sebright – 23
- Coldwater – 21
- Bracebridge – 18
- Coe Hill – 18
- North Barrie – 17
- Flesherton – 17
- Collingwood – 16
- Shanty Bay – 16
- Bancroft – 16
- Barrie-Oro – 15
- Mount Forest – 15
- Mono Centre – 13
- Borden – 12
- Wiarton – 9
- Ottawa – 9
Environment Canada says these are preliminary totals.
