Fresh off the heartbreak of the Blue Jays’ World Series loss last weekend — a moment baseball fans across the country are still trying to make sense of — Mother Nature is stepping up to the mound to pitch her first curveball of the season! But, who’s on deck you ask? The Roads and Parking Services team of course, and they’re ready to swing for the fences! It’s the 2025/26 winter season, Ottawa… let’s play ball!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning for the Ottawa region. Snow is expected to begin this morning and continue to intensify into tonight with 10 to 20 centimetres possible. Snow may mix with ice pellets or freezing rain this evening, particularly for areas to the south and east of the city. Given the ground and road surface temperatures are still relatively warm, snow accumulation may vary across the region.
Weather conditions may impact the Monday morning commute. Residents are reminded to exercise caution while using all of our transportation networks.
Our response
This is the first winter event of the season and it definitely won’t be the last! Crews are ready to respond — the Roads and Parking Services team has been preparing equipment, filling the salt domes, and training for winter operations. Operators have been out practicing their beats to make sure they know their routes and can respond efficiently when snow starts to fall. Once accumulation begins, crews will be working on clearing and treating sidewalks, roads and our winter cycling network while our colleagues in Parks Maintenance will be doing the same at parking lots at city facilities. This is our first deployment of equipment this season, and we are asking for your patience as operations may take longer than normal as staff get used to their newly assigned routes and adjust to the conditions of the transportation network.
Chief William Commanda Bridge
At this time, the Chief William Commanda Bridge will remain open. The Roads and Parking Services team will be monitoring the bridge closely, and if conditions become hazardous, it will be closed for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. If the bridge is to be temporarily closed for safety reasons, Council and the public will be informed.
Reminder on what to expect this winter
Roads and Parking Services works very closely with our partners across the corporation to ensure our response to winter weather events meets the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors. The Roads and Parking Services team continuously monitor weather conditions to determine how and when they respond, based on the forecast and specific conditions of each incoming winter storm. This response is guided by the Maintenance Quality Standards (MQS), which defines the desirable level of service — or the standard to which sidewalks or roads are maintained – during and after winter events.
Your help is needed:
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If you are able, please clear your local catch basin from leaves and debris to allow as much water as possible to drain from the road. Find your nearest catch basin using our catch basin locator map.
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Need help clearing your driveway and/or walkway during the winter? For information on City’s Snow Go and Snow Go Assist Programs visit Help around the home on Ottawa.ca.
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Become a Snow Angel! Support your community by helping someone you know who is elderly or has a disability, by clearing snow or ice from their driveway, steps or walkway. More information on the Snow Angel Program is available on Ottawa.ca.
