It’s snowing…is it April yet? Some of us woke up to anywhere from 2 to 3 centimeters of snow this morning and it’s still going, and so is the Roads and Parking Services team. Here we go again, Ottawa!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement(link is external) for the Ottawa Region. Snow started earlier this morning and is expected to continue throughout the day, tapering off to flurries, with 5 to 10 centimetres possible. Easterly winds at 20 kilometres per hour this morning will diminish by the afternoon. The daytime high is expected to reach minus 3. Wind chill near minus 19 this morning, and minus 6 this afternoon.
Residents are reminded to exercise caution when out walking, driving and cycling as some areas could get localized bursts of heavy snowfall.
Our response
The team is ready! Supervisors will be monitoring the forecast and conditions of the transportation network through the day, into the evening and overnight. Crews were deployed early this morning to clear and treat sidewalks, priority roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network. Parks Maintenance is also out clearing and treating emergency service stations, libraries and community centres as well as some City facility parking lots. The nightshift will be in tonight to clean up the transportation network and any problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs. Depending on snowfall amounts, crews may be required to head into residential neighbourhoods to clear and treat streets.
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue to monitor the transportation network and the forecast over the next 24 hours, and the team will respond as required.
Depending on snowfall amounts, an operational update may be required tomorrow.
Your continued support is appreciated. Please travel with care today.
