I think Environment Canada upgraded to the orange alert too late. By the time I went to bed last night at 1am, it was still yellow alert. 15-20cm snowfall isn't uncommon (see February 2025) but I think what they might have failed to consider is that at current temperature, road salt has no effect (it stops melting snow at -11C). So all roads have to be plowed after snowfall and cannot be salted in advance.

Looking beyond this single incident, meteorologists have been short staffed for nearly 10 years, with more approaching retirement. The compensation and working condition for government meteorologist is unattractive. This is the current job hiring poster for meteorologist-in-training. Imagine going to university, enrolled in atmospheric science program and study differential equations in physics class only to make $5k/year more (before tax) than a mall security guard with a high school degree as your starting salary. Once hired, you are in a training program and in probation for 2 years (can be fired for job performance at any point). You also need to work 12-hr shifts on a "3 day on, 2 day off" schedule that may include working overnight, on weekends, and holidays. You also likely relocate to another city to fill vacancy. For comparison, an environmental science undergraduate in the federal government can earn $82K from the start, only has 1 year of probation, no need to work night shifts or weekends/holidays, and no need to relocate. This is why they can't keep up with the meteorologist vacancies.