Another winter storm is expected to hit the Ottawa Region starting Wednesday evening into Thursday. In an effort to keep residents informed, I am including the latest City updates within this news blast:
Winter Storm Warning
Earlier this morning, Environment Canada issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Ottawa Region. A significant winter storm is expected Wednesday evening into Thursday with current total snowfall amounts of 20 to 40 centimetres forecasted and snowfall rates possibly exceeding 5 centimetres per hour.
That’s a lot of snow! Although confidence is increasing that the storm will impact Ottawa, there is uncertainty on the track of this low-pressure system, making the exact snowfall amounts unknown at this time.
A Winter Weather Parking Ban
Given the current forecast, it is very likely a Winter Weather Parking Ban will be required. The timing and duration of the ban will be determined as we get closer to the event. Residents are encouraged to 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.
If a Winter Parking Ban is called, 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, to remove their vehicles to prevent them from being snowed in.
Information on parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
In our community, the Greenboro Park and Ride is available to residents for parking during a Winter Parking Ban.
Resident Support is Required
• Safety is a priority for our team, and staff will be out in full force working to keep Ottawa’s sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network treated and clear. Conditions are messy and changing, and those who are out should drive to the conditions of the road.
• 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. Crews are on the job and our efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
• Please place garbage, recycling, and organic collection bins in your driveway and not on the road or sidewalks.
Plowing through a Winter Storm
After a severe snowstorm, operators may have to plow a street twice. Sometimes a grader or dump truck with front and wing plows will do a first pass, followed by a sand/salt truck, to clear a small amount of snow and make sanding/salting more effective.
To clear a cul-de-sac, operators will push the remaining snow to the centre or outside of the street, depending on the available area.
In the early winter, the City removes ruts that have formed on snow-packed surfaces. This keeps catch basin open and helps prevent flooding.
Submit a Snow Clearing request
Residents are able to submit snow clearing requests by calling 3-1-1, or online at Ottawa.ca
The City’s Winter Operations team will be working around the clock to clear major highways, roads, residential roads, and sidewalks. As this is a significant snow event, we are reminding residents to be patient and refrain from immediately sending in requests to allow the team the opportunity to safely make their rounds.
