Vaughan declares a Significant Weather Event

Take extra precautions, drive safely and avoid unnecessary travel 

The City of Vaughan has declared a Significant Weather Event based on the snowfall warning alert issued by Environment Canada. Snowfall amounts near 15 centimetres with peak snowfall rates of 2 centimetres per hour is possible today. Community centres and Vaughan Public Libraries remain open, and programming is running as scheduled at this time. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and any future closures or program cancellations will be shared as information becomes available.

The City is encouraging drivers to be cautious and adjust their driving according to changing road conditions and visibility. Take all necessary precautions, including avoiding unnecessary travel and taking frequent breaks when shovelling snow to avoid overexertion.

The City has a fleet of more than 230 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 residents are provided with high-quality winter services. 

Due to the forecasted 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. 

A Significant Weather Event is defined as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within a municipality. Examples of severe weather include freezing rain, significant snowfall, blowing snow and reduced visibility. The Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways allows municipalities to declare a Significant Weather Event when Environment Canada issues a weather alert and when that weather hazard has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways which they have authority over.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help winter operations run effectively and efficiently by following these tips:

• Keep parked cars off the street while snowplows are out to help the City clear streets properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan without a permit, under the City’s Parking By-law (PDF) or when snowplows are clearing the streets – even with a permit. Please make sure your vehicle does not block any part of the sidewalk or walkway or does not hang over the curb – this makes it difficult for snowplows to clear windrows and sidewalks. The fine for parking on the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. without a permit or when snowplows are clearing the streets is $100.

• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in the City’s Snow Clearing By-law (PDF).

• On waste collection days, set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of your driveway, where possible (when facing the home). They should never be placed on top of or behind snowbanks. 

• Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can impede emergency fire response.

• Help keep catch basins and culverts clear of snow, ice and debris to prevent potential flooding during temperature fluctuations, if it’s safe to do so. 

• Remove anything from your property that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more, as stated in the City’s Encroachment By-law (PDF). These items should not be within 30 centimetres of a sidewalk or one metre of a street curb.

• Be mindful of where shovelled snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the City’s Dumping By-law (PDF).

• Clean snow off all vehicle surfaces before driving and keep a safe distance from snowplows and salting equipment.  

MORE INFORMATION

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

• visit vaughan.ca/snow

• contact the Snow hotline at 905-879-SNOW (7669) or email snow@vaughan.ca

• follow the City’s official corporate channels on  X,  Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

• subscribe to Vaughan News