Snow events have been declared in Waterloo region, which means street parking will be banned for 24 hours.
Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo have declared snow events. Cambridge’s snow event started at 12 p.m. Monday while Kitchener and Waterloo said their snow events would begin at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
Cambridge says sidewalks must be cleared within 36 hours following the end of a snowfall. In Waterloo, people are required to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall.
In a press release, Cambridge reminded people that residential roads are not typically salted, so there will be snow packed onto the surface.
City plows from both Waterloo and Cambridge will be clearing residential roads as a last priority, after main roads and transit routes.
Bob Henderson is the director of transportation services for the City of Waterloo. He says people should not be worried if their road hasn’t been plowed yet.
“Just be patient with our staff,” he urged.
“We’re on the roads, we’re dealing with this weather system. It requires resources to get the job done.”
He says staff are also thinking about salt conservation.
“We’re always looking at strategies to reduce salt,” Henderson said.
“One of the mechanisms that we’re employing this year is to use less salt on very low travelled roadways … where salt use is not necessarily as important in comparison to our major collectors and regional roads.”
The Township of Woolwich and the Township of Wilmot also declared a significant weather events.
Woolwich said a significant weather event is declared to remind drivers to drive with caution when travelling because of the weather and changing road conditions.
“The township wishes to note that the declaration of a significant weather event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure,” Woolwich clarified in a press release.
The significant weather event declaration remains in effect until the township cancels it.
Wilmot’s special weather event started at 5 p.m. Monday.
“The public will be notified when the declaration is cancelled, and the township will then resume maintaining the roads as directed by the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards,” Wilmot said in a release.
“Declaring the end of the event does not mean roads and sidewalks are in good usable condition. It only means that the township feels that the weather has subsided enough where regular maintenance timelines can be met.”
Weather advisories in effect
For much of the day, Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County were under two weather advisories as rain changed to snow and winds were strong.
In Waterloo region and Guelph, the yellow snow squall warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada remained in effect Monday night. The wind warning ended in the early evening.
In the northern part of Wellington County, the orange snow squall warning remained in effect, with the weather agency warning up to 40 cm of snow was possible in some areas. The wind warning for this area was also ended early Monday evening.
Snow squalls and blowing snow were expected to impact driving.
“In the wake of a sharp cold front, lake effect snow squalls off Lake Huron have developed. Blowing snow and poor visibility will be the primary concern as strong northwesterly wind gusts of 70 km/h are expected,” the yellow snow squall advisory for Waterloo region said.
“Travel may be extremely hazardous. Road closures are possible. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.”
Police in Guelph issued a warning on Monday morning on X, formerly Twitter, about reports of icy surfaces.
“We are getting reports of icy roads this morning following last night’s storm. If you have to go out please drive with care and leave extra time,” the police service said.
As well, utility outages are possible. On Sunday, there were power outages impacting more than 4,500 Enova customers throughout Waterloo region due to ice and winds. At one point, the Kitchener Rangers reported on X that the lights went out in The Aud during their hockey game against the Erie Otters.
On Monday morning, Enova posted on its website that crews “worked through the night and have restored power to most customers affected by Sunday’s freezing rain.”
“Snow squalls and high winds are in the forecast and more weather-related power outages are expected. Crews are available to respond,” the company said.
Flood warning, flood watch
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued multiple warnings affecting Drayton, New Hamburg and Ayr.
The GRCA issued a flood warning for Drayton, which means river flows are expected to rise to Flood Warning Zone 1 on Monday morning. On its website, GRCA says a flood warning is issued when “flooding is occurring or is about to occur” and can lead to closures and evacuations.
The Grand River Conservation Authority is encouraging residents to refer to this graphic for information regarding flood warning zones in Drayton. (GRCA)
The conservation authority has also issued a flood watch message for New Hamburg and Ayr. The GRCA says it does that when flooding is possible is specific areas. This flood watch message was issued on Sunday.
“Municipalities, municipal services and landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare,” the GRCA says on its website.
A watershed conditions message was issued earlier in the month on Dec. 9 and remains in effect for the entirety of the Grand River watershed. It said because of heavy rain, snow melt or other conditions that could lead to ice jams, people need to be aware of the potential for flooding.
That includes that people need to be careful near water because of unstable ice conditions.
“Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from watercourses. The public is reminded to stay off ice-covered waterbodies, due to unsafe conditions,” the GRCA says.
