People walk as snow falls during the first winter storm of the year in Ottawa, Ontario. (AP PHOTO)
Montreal, Canada — Snow blanketed eastern Canada Tuesday, sparking airport delays and trouble on the roads as the season’s first major winter storm hit the region following an unusually mild start to December.
The weather is linked to a deadly system that created chaos in Texas over the weekend, meteorologists said.
At least 11 people were killed as tornadoes struck the heavily populated Dallas area, with heavy rain and snowfall also hitting the state.
“An intense low pressure system from Texas is affecting the Great Lakes area. A warm front associated with this low is producing freezing rain” in southern Ontario and snow further to the east, experts at Environment Canada said.
The wintry mix disrupted air travel and caused dangerous conditions on the roads.
Toronto’s Pearson International Airport urged travelers to check the status of their flights with the airlines.
“Winter weather along (the) US Eastern Seaboard and in Montreal and Ottawa causing some delays and cancellations,” it said.
At Montreal’s airport, about 20 flights had been cancelled by mid-morning while others saw major delays.
In the Toronto area, about 300 road accidents have been reported since Monday evening, with motorists trying to maneuver in icy conditions.
Environment Canada officials urged the public in Quebec province to leave their cars at home, warning that 11 to 16 inches of snow were expected by day’s end.
The storm arrives more than a month later than normal, with the lack of snow leading to a drop in activity at ski resorts over the Christmas holidays.