It's been just over a week since snow was in the forecast...did anyone else start to think spring might be on the way? Nahhh, us either. While Team Roads and Parking Services is preparing to clear the snow, Team Canada is hoping to clear the way to gold as they skate into the Olympic semifinal! GO CANADA GO!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement(link is external) for the Ottawa Region. Snow is expected to begin this afternoon and continue overnight, with 5 to 10 centimetres possible. Winds from the east will be 20 kilometres per hour gusting to 40 causing blowing and drifting snow in open areas. The daytime high is forecast at minus 1 with a wind chill of minus 9 this afternoon. Overnight, the windy conditions continue, and the temperature will drop to minus 6 with a wind chill of minus 13. The snow is expected to transition to flurries Saturday morning. Given the timing of this event and accumulation amounts remain variable, we have decided not to call a Winter Weather Parking Ban.
Residents are reminded to travel with extreme caution as deteriorating travel conditions are expected during the afternoon and evening commute. Accumulating snow could make travel difficult and visibility may be suddenly reduced at times. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become snow covered and slippery.
Our response
The team is ready, and all resources will be deployed! Supervisors will be monitoring the forecast and conditions of the transportation network this afternoon, into the evening and overnight. As the system moves into the region and accumulation begins, crews will be deployed to clear and treat sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network. Parks Maintenance will also be out clearing and treating emergency service stations, libraries and community centres as well as some City facility parking lots. We are asking for patience as high winds and the blowing snow will slow operations down.
Snow removal operations are winding down! Since January 18, the team has been hard at work removing snowbanks across the city. Crews have removed more than 1.8 million cubic meters of snow using over 1,000 semi-trailers and 5,000 dump trucks to haul it to our six snow storage facilities across the city. That’s like filling up 30 Olympic sized skating rinks with snow!
Resident support is required
- Flashing blue lights means we are hard at work. If you see a sidewalk plow approaching, please step aside into an open driveway. Always remember to stay at least 3 car lengths behind our vehicles – please never pass our vehicles.
- There is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. We are on the job, and our efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
- You can support our operations by finding off-street parking options. If you can, please ask a friend or neighbour to share their laneway. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway.
- Do you need volunteer hours? 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.
Next steps
The Roads and Parking Services team will continue to monitor the forecast and the transportation network throughout the weekend and will be ready to respond as required. Based on snowfall amounts, an operational update may be required tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued support and travel with care this weekend.
