Don't get towed: Montreal's snow removal operation is on

After the Montreal area was pelted with 25 centimetres of snow over the weekend, city workers began thesnow removal operation at 7 p.m.Monday.

While snow clearing continues, residents should avoid street parking if at all possible, and theymust obey the temporary 'no parking' signs that have cropped up around the city,according to city spokesperson PhilippeSabourin.

The snow removal could take up to one week to complete, he said.

He added that citizens can get updates on the snow removal operation via the city's Info-Neige app, which will provide details about which areas are being cleared and when.

The app,which had nearly 273,000 users last winter, notifies residents about parking restrictions and tells them where they can park overnight for free.

The city offers more than2,000 free parking spots in certainlots between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Go to the city'swebsiteor the app to find them.

Storm causes closures, cancellations

About 50 primary and secondary schools in the Eastern Townships were closedMonday morning. Another 50 were closed in theChaudire-Appalachesregion, along with at least one in theLanaudireregion.

InAbitibi-Tmiscamingue, 77 schools were closed, along with another 27 in the Lower St. Lawrence.Another 27 are closed on the North Shore.