Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Ottawa Region. Starting early Friday morning, snow is expected to be heavy at times, with peak snowfall rates of 2 to 3 centimetres per hour. That’s a lot of snow! It will continue to fall through Friday afternoon, with 5 to 10 centimetres possible. Winds will be around 20 kilometres per hour, and daytime highs will reach minus 2, with a wind chill of minus 10 in the morning.
Given the timing of this event, accumulation amounts remain variable and rising temperatures, 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 morning 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 overnight, and throughout the morning and afternoon. 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.
Traffic Services will have crews on standby to address any traffic related matters that may arise during the morning commute.
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.
Next steps
The Roads and Parking Services team will continue to monitor the forecast and the transportation network throughout the day tomorrow and will be ready to respond as required.
