When does the City declare a Significant Weather Event?
With the winter season upon us, the City of Vaughan’s crews are
on the job – no matter the size of the snowfall! Learn everything you need to
know about the City’s winter operations during declared Significant Weather
Events.
What is a Significant Weather Event?
A Significant Weather Event is defined as an approaching or occurring weather
hazard with the potential to pose a substantial danger to users of roads within
a municipality. Examples of severe weather that could trigger a Significant
Weather Event include freezing rain, large snowfall, blowing snow and reduced
visibility.
When does the City declare a Significant
Weather Event?
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 the weather conditions have the
potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways which they have
authority over.
How do I know if the City has declared a
Significant Weather Event?
Significant Weather Events will be publicly declared on the City’s website and
social media channels and will remain in place until the City deems them
complete. Updates will be shared to signal the end of an event.
How does a Significant Weather Event
impact City service levels?
When the City declares a Significant Weather Event, winter maintenance service
levels may be impacted. Although service level standards do not change, winter
clearing activities may take longer to complete. During the event, staff
monitor weather forecasts and make the necessary decisions and adjustments to
operations. If it involves snow or ice accumulation, standard service levels
may be impacted as crews work to clear roads and sidewalks.
Stay informed!
For more information on the City’s winter maintenance service levels,
visit vaughan.ca/snow. For
additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter
operations:
- contact the SNOW hotline at 905-879-SNOW (7669) or email snow@vaughan.ca
- follow the City’s official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
- subscribe to Vaughan News