February is the shortest month of the year, but it may feel the longest — at least this year.
Longtime local amateur weather watcher David Brian says Orillia is approaching 170 centimetres of snow in February.
That "is more than I've ever recorded for any winter month in my almost 45 years of weather recording," Brain said via social media.
Add that to what was an already near-record snowfall in January, and Orillia has been inundated with about 323 centimetres of the white stuff in 2025. The normal for an entire winter in Orillia is 282 centimetres.
For the entire winter season to date, Brain said almost 445 centimetres — or about 14.5 feet — of snow has fallen.
With "73 days of winter left, I think it’s safe to say" Orillia will shatter the previous seasonal record of 477.1 centimetres set in 1995-96. In fact, Brain predicts Orillia will surpass the 500-centimetre club for the first time.
The onslaught has led to freakish snow banks throughout the city, dangerously high snow loads on the roofs of local homes and sore muscles for those left to fend for themselves with shovels.
It has also been nightmarish for city crews.
"As the snow continues to fall and a snow squall watch remains in effect, residents are asked to limit non-essential travel and allow city crews to safely clear roads and sidewalks," notes a social media post from the city late Sunday afternoon.
The post said the municipality is "actively bringing in additional resources" to support lane-width maintenance and snowbank removal.
According to the post, a full complement of staff and equipment will continue plowing roads and sidewalks tonight.
On Monday, in the daytime, crews will "continue work to increase lane width and improve sightlines at intersections," noted the post.
The following roads will be targeted during the day where sidewalks do not exist or are only on one side:
- Millard (James to Oxford)
- Regent St. (James to Cul-De-Sac at top of Regent Hill)
- East St. (Atherley to James)
- Crawford St. (Regent to Bayview Park)
- Franklin St. (Leslie to Bayview Park)
- Leslie St. (James to Crawford)
- Raymond St. (Franklin to Bennett)
- Delia St. (Raymond to Bayview Park)
- Hiida St. (Raymond to Forest)
- Bayview Park Dr. (Delia to Atherley)
- Brewery Lane
- Forest Ave North and South
On Monday night and overnight, "major snow removal operations will take place on arterial roads, focusing on intersections, crosswalks, and snowbanks," said the city's post. Up to 30 trucks, loaders, and blowers will be deployed to tackle main streets.
The city is asking people to help by avoid parking on city streets, refrain from pushing driveway snow onto the boulevard and to drive with caution to give plows and heavy equipment plenty of space to operate.
"City crews are working tirelessly to ensure roads are as safe as possible," noted the city's post.
"We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through this unprecedented snowfall. Thank you to our dedicated crews who are braving the elements to keep Orillia moving."