OTTAWA, Ont. – Many Ottawa residents had to break out their snow brush Monday morning. The national capital region was blanketed with about 2 cm of snow overnight.

The white stuff started falling late Sunday night – but have no fear – it’s not expected to stick around for long

“It’s associated with a weak trough that’s moving off to the east,” said 1310News Meteorologist Harold Hosein. “It will stay on the ground for a few hours, but on the roadways, most of it will be melting.”

Ottawa police are asking people to slow down if they drive on Ottawa roads Monday morning.

“From about 3 a.m. on the roads are quite treacherous because of what little traffic there was on them prior to the salt trucks getting out,” said Dave Lockhart of Ottawa police.

City of Ottawa salt trucks and plows were dispatched to start clearing roads and sidewalks. There were 11 crashes during the morning rush.

The dusting of snow also got people in the capital thinking about winter tires for their vehicles; phones were ringing off the hook at Ottawa’s tire shops Monday morning.

“The snow sparks people who were waiting until the last minute to put their winter tires on,” said Sandro Giaccone of Frisby Tire. “We’ve been entertaining a lot of phone calls this morning.”

Some people stick with all season tires, which are different from winter tires. Giacconne said that all seasons lose some of their effectiveness as the temperature drops. Winter tires are more pliable with better traction in temperatures up to minus 35C.   

The Rubber Association of Canada reports just 52 per cent of people will put winter tires on their vehicle.

In Quebec, the deadline to get your winter tires on your vehicle is December 15, or drivers could face a fine of up to $300. No such law exists in Ontario.