Vaughan declares a Significant Weather Event
Take extra precautions, drive safely and avoid unnecessary travel on Jan. 6
The City of Vaughan will declare a Significant Weather Event effective Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 5 a.m. based on the special weather statement issued by Environment Canada. Conditions are favourable for freezing rain with one to five millimetres of ice buildup tomorrow morning.
At this time it is anticipated that community centres and Vaughan Public Libraries locations will remain open and programming will run as scheduled. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and any future closures or program cancellations will be shared as information becomes available.
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.
Vaughan 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.
The City is encouraging drivers to be cautious and adjust their driving according to changing road conditions. 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.
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, or any time while winter operations are taking place. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law 064-2019 (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited.
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 227-2022 (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 Road Allowance By-law 126-2024 (PDF). These items should not be within 30 centimetres (12 inches) of a sidewalk or one metre (40 inches) of a street curb.
Don’t shovel snow on the road. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the City’s Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF).
Clean snow off all vehicle surfaces before driving and keep a safe distance from snowplows and salting equipment.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the City’s winter maintenance program, visit vaughan.ca/snow. 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.
