Update on Vaughan’s unprecedented winter operations

Jan. 18, 2022 2:00 p.m.
City of Vaughan

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


​Significant Weather Event declaration remains in effect following Monday’s blizzard


Although Monday’s unprecedented snowfall has stopped in Vaughan, City crews continue to work around the clock clearing roads and sidewalks. Approximately 36 centimetres (14 inches) fell in yesterday’s blizzard – an amount not seen since 2008. 

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 and timely winter services. 

Here are some updates on the City’s operations to date: 

  • Two full-scale salting and plowing operations of Vaughan’s entire road network have been completed, including windrows.
  • Primary sidewalks (those by main roads) remain the priority today for crews to continue to clear. The complete network of sidewalks (including secondaries and park walkways) will not be completed until Thursday at the earliest.
  • Crews are also circling back to areas to address windrow concerns and where parked cars impacted snow-clearing efforts as well as lay-by areas (those are areas on the side of the road where cars can pull over). 

Here are tips on how you can help the City’s 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 the travel 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 declared a Significant Weather Event on Sunday, Jan. 16. This declaration remains in effect.   

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

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