Winter Operations Update - Thursday, February 13
NOTE: The Significant Weather Event remains in effect. A winter weather parking ban is in effect during these days and times:
Thursday, February 13 from 10 am to 7 pm
Friday, February 14 from 10 am to 7 pm
During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Learn more here: Winter storm | City of Ottawa
The following is information was sent by Roads and Parking Services at the City to Members of Council regarding forecasted inclement weather conditions.
This information was provided to my office at 9:58am on February 13.
The city woke up to 17 centimetres of snow and there is still much more to come. We haven’t seen snow like this since 2022 and although this amount of snow in such a short period is uncommon, the Roads and Parking Services team is prepared and will continue working as this system moves through the region. Please remember, this is not your typical storm, and operations will take longer than usual.
Forecast and conditions
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Ottawa region. Snow will be heavy at times with up to 20 centimetres possible before tapering off this afternoon. With the daytime high forecasted at minus 1, there is a risk of freezing drizzle this afternoon. The wind will be 30 kilometres per hour gusting to 60, causing significant blowing and drifting snow in open areas.
Heavy snowfall and local blowing snow will create near zero visibility and travel should be avoided. If you must be out, please exercise extreme caution when using the transportation network.
The Office of Emergency Management is in a state of “Monitoring” and ready to coordinate a Citywide response if deemed necessary. Given the current condition of the transportation network and understanding operations are taking longer than usual, the Significant Weather Event remains in effect.
Our response
Supervisors continue to monitor the forecast and the transportation network. Crews have been working nonstop overnight and the dayshift has picked up right where the nightshift left off. All resources are deployed, and as we progress through the day, crews will continue to clear and treat sidewalks, arterial roads and the winter cycling network. The team will move into residential neighbourhoods later this morning and will continue through the evening to treat and clear streets.
Our sidewalk crews are out in full force, and in some areas, they will switch to blowers to deal with high accumulation amounts due to blowing snow. This type of equipment takes more time to clear the sidewalk network.
As a reminder, there is a lot of snow, and some areas of the region are experiencing significant blowing and drifting snow, so it will take crews longer to get through the entire transportation network. Please be patient.
Winter weather parking ban is in effect
A Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect until 7 pm tonight. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway. As a reminder, there will be a second winter parking ban in effect tomorrow from 10 am to 7 pm.
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.
Service impacts
For information about service impacts as it relates to today’s weather event, please visit Ottawa.ca
Resident support is required
Safety is a priority for our team, and we will be out in full force working to keep Ottawa’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network treated and clear. Conditions are hazardous and residents are reminded to stay home if they are able. For those who must travel, please give yourself extra time and adjust to the conditions of the transportation network.
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.
Although the parking ban will be lifted at 7 pm tonight, we encourage those who can, to please try to find alternate parking overnight to allow our staff to efficiently clear the roads.
If your waste collection day is tomorrow, please try to place your bins out in the morning (by 7 am) as strong winds may toss them onto the roadways or sidewalks,
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services team will continue its work on restoring the transportation network. Conditions are making things difficult to navigate, but rest assured, our operators are hard at work doing everything they can to stay ahead of this storm.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as the team continues to respond to this major winter event.
FAQs and More Information
These quality standards apply during most winter weather events. However, this is not the case during a declared Significant Weather Event. The intent of declaring a SWE is to notify the public that because of the forecast and/or current weather conditions, it will take longer than usual to restore the transportation network to expected conditions and that caution is to be exercised when using sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network.
How are pathways maintained? Why are some pathways not winter-maintained?
This is a topic that I have addressed in greater detail here: Snow Clearing and Pathway Maintenance — Ward 21 (Rideau-Jock)
How should I report an issue?
There is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. Winter road maintenance staff are on the job and their efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies.
Once a winter weather event has passed, should you become aware of an issue on the City-maintained transportation network, submit a service request by calling 3-1-1 or online here.
It is important to note that during a storm when the snow is still falling, during a declared Significant Weather Event, or prior to the maintenance quality standards timelines being exceeded as per the graphic above, reports to 3-1-1 do not lead to quicker action. In particular, during a Significant Weather Event, all available resources will be deployed, and residents are asked to refrain from calling 3-1-1 or creating a service request for anything other than an emergency so that City staff can better address the most pressing issues.
If you are having trouble contacting or receiving assistance from the City, my office can assist with reporting issues identified by residents. My office is best reached by email at ward21@ottawa.ca.
Please note that roads and sidewalks are maintained to the quality standards that are outlined above; I do not have the power to direct plow drivers in their operations or routes.
Can I check whether a winter parking ban is in effect?
Information regarding winter parking bans, including whether such a ban is in effect, is available here: Winter parking | City of Ottawa
What is happening with buses and transit?
OC Transpo is implementing a Severe Storm Schedule for buses beginning Thursday, February 13, due to the current severe winter storm forecast for Ottawa. The Severe Storm Schedule does not apply to O-Train service, which will run on a normal schedule.
Learn more: Severe Storm Schedule
Where can I get more information?
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on updates from Environment Canada for up-to-date information on the storm as it progresses.
During a winter storm, please visit Ottawa.ca/winter for the most up-to-date information from the City.