Winter Operations Update - Wednesday February 19
The below update was prepared on February 19, 2025 using information received on February 18, 2025 at 3:59pm ET.
Following this past weekend’s winter storm, the Roads and Parking Services team continues cleanup efforts throughout the city. Next up, snow removal operations! Think about this for minute: Ottawa has received over 116 centimetres of snow since mid-January and almost 70 centimeters fell over a 5-day period last week. That’s a lot of snow to remove, and the team is ready to tackle it, one curb metre at a time. It’s important to note that given the high volume of snow we have received, removal will take longer than usual.
Snow removal operations have begun!
The Roads and Parking Services team is engaging in snow removal operations throughout the City. The focus will be in Business Improvement Areas and business districts, and where snowbanks have significantly increased on some arterial and collector roads. Snow removal operations will also begin on urban residential streets and bridge decks, and crews will be addressing sightline concerns at intersections and corners.
Snow removal is a planned event that requires us to physically remove snow from the side of the road and transport it to one of our snow storage facilities. Snow removal is different than snow clearing, which occurs as snow is falling or immediately after a snowfall, to move the snow from the roadway to the side of the road or to the City’s right of way.
In some communities, we are able to cast the snow from the roadway onto the City’s right of way and store it there. This is a safe operation which allows us to open roads without hauling snow away. Residents will know casting is taking place when they see the large blowers blowing snow off roads and sidewalks and onto City greenspace. Following our snow removal operations, a sidewalk machine is deployed to clear and treat the sidewalks in the area to ensure it remains safe for travel.
Residents can expect to see our team out in the community placing temporary ‘No Parking’ signs in snowbanks along the side of the roadway to prepare for snow removal. Residents will know it is taking place when they see temporary no parking signage in their community, and/or line-ups of large trucks with snow being blown into the boxes.
While we are engaged in snow removal activities, residents are asked to observe the posted signage and to remove their vehicles from the roadway as per the signage - this includes vehicles with residential parking permits. Failing to do so may result in your vehicle being towed. Towed vehicles are relocated to an adjacent street where snow removal is not scheduled that day or has already been completed. Residents may call 3-1-1 for assistance in locating their vehicle.
While the operations are exciting to watch, we ask all residents, and especially children, to give the vehicles space to do their work. Please stay a safe distance back.
Next steps
The Roads and Parking Services team will be working hard towards removing snowbanks and widening the roadways to make the transportation network safe and passable for everyone.
If you believe a street or sidewalk has been missed by operators or if there is a hazard on the network that needs urgent attention, please file a 3-1-1 request here: Snow and ice | City of Ottawa
The below update was prepared on February 18, 2025 using information retrieved at 12:25PM ET.
The Roads and Parking Services team has been busy and still hard at work cleaning up from the aftermath of this weekend’s winter wallop. Significant winds have been relentless with no sign of easing up until tomorrow. The blowing snow is creating snow drifts as high as 5 feet on some sections of the sidewalk network and much higher on roadways in open spaces, especially in rural areas of the city. With drifts this high, it takes larger equipment to come in and remove the snow before a sidewalk plow or grader can clear and open up the transportation network. This has slowed down operations; however, crews are doing their best under these extremely challenging conditions. As a reminder, cleanup and snow removal will take several weeks to complete. Understanding and patience are key as we complete our work.
Forecast and conditions
A mix of sun and cloud today with a chance of flurries. Winds will be 20 kilometres per hour gusting to 40, causing blowing and drifting snow in localized areas of the city. Residents are reminded to exercise caution when using the transportation network.
Transportation network conditions and our response
The sustained wind has made it difficult to efficiently restore the transportation network to the normal standards we maintain. We know the snowbanks are high, the roads are narrow, and some sidewalks are not clear, but rest assured, we are actively working on addressing the issues created by the blowing and drifting snow across the transportation network. We also have been hard at work on the transitway, park and rides and bus stops where snow drifts have also been an issue. Our biggest challenge—the wind! Once a plow or sidewalk machine has passed, in some areas of the city, it quickly looks like it hasn’t been there. There’s a lot to accomplish, and it is going to take some time, but crews will keep going until the transportation network has been restored.
Supervisors continue to monitor the transportation network. The priority roads are in good condition, with snow-covered, icy spots reported in some areas due to blowing and drifting snow. Since Sunday, residential streets have been plowed twice, and conditions are currently snow packed. Crews continue to clear blowing and drifting snow from the sidewalk network using blowers which has significantly slowed operations. The use of blowers also requires a second pass to scrape the sidewalk clean after the blower has been through.
The team has opened up most bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian island and corners, but will have to return to address issues created by blowing and drifting snow and complete a full clean up.
Given the significant winds, blowing and drifting snow and continued cleanup efforts, the Significant Weather Event remains in effect until further notice.
Snow removal operations
The Roads and Parking Services team is preparing for snow removal operations throughout the City. A message will be provided later this afternoon on the exact timing, locations and the planned schedule.
Resident support is required
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.
Please help keep our streets clear and avoid shoveling snow onto the roadway, bike lanes, sidewalks, pathways and parks as it slows down our operations.
Next steps
Roads and Parking Services will continue its work on restoring the transportation network. We appreciate your understanding as the team navigates the challenging conditions the wind is creating.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as the team continues to respond to this major winter event.
For more information about this storm, please use the below links or scroll down further to review some frequently asked questions.
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
Please note that during temporary snow removal operations, localized street parking bans may be in effect.
What is happening with buses and transit?
During major storms, OC Transpo may implement the Severe Storm Schedule for buses. The Severe Storm Schedule is implemented for buses on weekdays when 31 cm or more of snow is expected. The Severe Storm Schedule does not apply to O-Train service, which will run on a normal schedule.
You can learn more about the Sever Storm Schedule here : 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 local weather.
During a winter storm, please visit Ottawa.ca/winter for the most up-to-date information from the City.