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 freezing rain warning issued by Environment Canada. Conditions are favourable for significant ice buildup of five to 10 millimetres from freezing rain from Friday, March 28 through Monday, March 31.
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. The buildup of ice on surfaces can create unsafe conditions, such as slippery sidewalks and roads. Power outages and flooding may occur. Take all necessary precautions, including avoiding unnecessary travel and staying clear of broken tree branches, bodies of water and downed powerlines.
The City has a fleet of more than 230 vehicles – including salter units, sidewalk machines, pickup trucks equipped with salters 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, bicycle lanes and around facilities. 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:
Don’t park cars on the street while winter operations vehicles 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. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited.
Clear 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).
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 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 winter 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.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:
create a profile on vaughan.ca and sign up for the “Snow Information Alert” to receive snow alerts directly in your inbox. Visit vaughan.ca/support for a step-by-step guide
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
