Mother Nature is busy planning her Super Bowl party, but before running her errands, preparing snacks and getting the chili in the slow cooker, she made sure to blanket most areas of the region with about 9 centimetres of snow last night. That’s okay, Ottawa! The Roads and Parking Services team is gearing up to score their own touchdown on the transportation network. They’ll be hard at work making sure it has been restored and in good condition for the big game!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Warning-Cold(link is external) for the Ottawa region. A mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries is expected today. Winds will be from the northwest at 30 kilometres per hour, gusting to 50, causing blowing and drifting snow in open areas. The daytime high will be minus 17, with a wind chill near minus 29. The overnight low will drop to minus 24, with a wind chill near minus 32.
Due to blowing and drifting snow, the transportation network remains slippery and, in some areas, snow-covered. Residents are reminded to exercise caution when out walking, driving, and cycling.
Our response
Supervisors will continue to monitor the conditions of the transportation network throughout the day. The team has been working nonstop all night. High winds caused significant blowing and drifting snow, creating challenging conditions for our night shift across the city—especially in rural areas. In some areas, it may look like the plow has not been by, but rest assured, the team is hard at work. Cold temperatures, high winds and the blowing snow have slowed down operations, and we are asking for patience as crews will be required to make multiple passes to scrape and break up packed snow on the transportation network.
The dayshift has picked up right where the nightshift left off and the team will continue work on sidewalks, priority roads and winter cycling network throughout the day. Work began this morning in residential neighbourhoods to clear and treat streets and will continue into the evening. The night shift will be back in tonight and work overnight to clean up the transportation network and any problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs.
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor the transportation network throughout the weekend, and the team will respond as required. Please consider this the last operational update for this weather event.
Your support is appreciated and continue to travel with care over the weekend.
