As the work day ended Monday, many people had spent a large chunk of their time either clearing their driveways or taking the kids out for some fun in the snow.
The weather alerts were spot on and much of Ontario got blasted with its first big snow storm of 2022.
As people in Barrie were digging out — many more than once — some parents were just getting off work this afternoon and keeping the kids busy on what was supposed to be the first day back of school following the prolonged Christmas break. But Mother Nature tossed another wrench into those plans this morning.
Kate Young had just finished her night shift and was able to get her walkway shovelled, but couldn't get her snowblower started.
Undeterred, the mother of three instead decided to get the kids packed up and headed over to Livingstone Park for some tobogganing.
With school cancelled due to weather, she knew her two children, aged seven and 10, needed to get outside to burn off some energy.
“We’ve all been stuck inside and I knew they would need some fresh air,” Young told BarrieToday. “After hearing reports last night about the storm, I kind of figured they’d be staying home from school and they have been really looking forward to going back.”
Not everyone had the chance to play in the snow, though. Nav Singh was stuck shovelling at his Livingstone Street home.
“I moved here two years ago. I’m still getting used to the perfect shovel,” Singh joked. “I have shovelled three time today and will likely have to do it again later. It's not too bad, but I would rather be relaxing.”
A resident on Arch Brown Court told BarrieToday he had plowed his driveway twice by 2 p.m., but didn’t mind doing it.
“It's Canada in January. What else did people expect?” he quipped. “I don’t mind getting out here doing it. It's good exercise and needs to be done.”
He said he would also be helping his neighbours next and hoping the roads get plowed shortly.
The snow had stopped by 4 p.m. and may start again overnight, but isn’t supposed to be as intense as it was on Monday.
The City of Barrie has also declared a "significant weather event," meaning it may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions.
