Tips for today’s Snow Day

Jan. 17, 2022 12:00 p.m.
City of Vaughan

Update: the Significant Weather Event ended as of Monday, Jan. 31, 2022.

​Keep parked cars off streets, clear fire hydrants and take breaks when shovelling


The city of Vaughan is being blanketed with snow, and City crews are working around the clock to clear roads and sidewalks. Here are tips on how you can help our winter operations run as smoothly and safely as possible:

  • Keep cars off the street while snowplows are out to assist the City in ensuring streets are cleared properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan or at any time when winter operations are in progress.
  • Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property within 24 hours after snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in By-law 300-93 (PDF).
  • Remove anything that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more.
  • Be mindful of where snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
  • Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless it is essential. You can also use York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.
  • Clean snow off all surfaces of your vehicle before driving and keep a safe distance away from snowplows and salting equipment.  
  • Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow down emergency fire response.

The City has a fleet of more than 100 vehicles – including salter/snowplow units, windrow machines, sidewalk machines, pickup trucks equipped with plows and salters, cul-de-sac-clearing machines and anti-icing units – to ensure citizens are provided with high-quality winter services. Due to heavy snow conditions, it may take longer than usual to clear City roads, sidewalks and/or bicycle lanes. Staff will continue to monitor weather forecasts and make the necessary decisions and adjustments to operations.

In addition to the Significant Weather Event the City declared on Sunday, Jan. 16, Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning​ for Vaughan. Conditions are favourable for gusty winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour and blowing snow with snowfall amounts of approximately 40 to 60 centimetres today. Conditions will persist through this evening. As a result, there is poor visibility on roads, and travel is extremely hazardous.

For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:

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