Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Ottawa region. Snow is forecast to develop early this evening and then become heavy at times with peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 centimetres per hour. That’s a lot of snow! The snow is expected to diminish in intensity overnight with 10 to 15 centimetres possible. The wind will be 20 kilometres per hour gusting to 40 with a low of minus 1 and wind chill of minus 7 this evening.
Travel will likely be challenging at times with reduced visibility in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to the accumulating snow. If you are travelling, allow extra time and please exercise extreme caution by adjusting to the conditions of the transportation network.
Our response
The Roads and Parking Services team is ready! All resources will be deployed and once accumulation begins, crews will be out in full force clearing and treating sidewalks, 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 centers as well as some City facility parking lots.
A daytime parking ban is being called
A Winter Weather Parking Ban will be in effect tomorrow Sunday, January 11 from 10 am to 7 pm. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway.
During this time, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Though eligible parking permit holders are exempt, we encourage those who can, please try to find alternate parking during this time to prevent your vehicle from being snowed in. The City of Ottawa has several parking lots available for residents to park during a parking ban. Vehicles may remain parked at these sites for the duration of the ban and must be removed after the City announces that the ban has been lifted. Information on all parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
Residents can stay in the know about our winter weather parking bans by signing up for e-alerts at Ottawa.ca, or by downloading the City of Ottawa app.
Resident support is required
- All vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Information on alternative parking options is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 conditions of the transportation network over the next 48 hours.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews navigate these very challenging weather conditions. Support from our residents is crucial as we respond to this event.
