City Gets Ready for Early Autumn Snowfall

Environment Canada today issued a Snowfall Warning for Saskatoon and area forecasting rain, wind, and snow which will lead to poor visibility and icy conditions.

“It’s possible we could experience as much as 15 cm of wet, heavy snow overnight and stretching into Thursday,” says Ray Unrau, Director of Emergency Measures Organization. “We want everyone to be ready for what could be a very challenging early autumn storm.”

Roadways and Operations

To keep Saskatoon people and visitors moving around, City and contractor staff are available 24 hours per day to reduce ice formation and increase traction on high-priority streets.

“During a snowfall, we focus our efforts on our busiest, high-priority streets including those around fire stations and hospitals,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “We need to keep the main traffic routes open with the reminder that everyone has to be patient, slow down and stay alert.”

What you can expect:

• During the weather event, Roadways will focus on keeping driving lanes open on high traffic priority streets, and sand/salt high speed roads as well as high traffic intersections.
• Sanding crews will be on priority streets throughout the night and day applying sand and salt as required. 
• Depending on snowfall amount, snow will be stored in the middle and adjacent to roads.
• Staff will monitor and minimize ponding water and surface drainage issues as the snow melts.
• For timely updates check the snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.
• Equipment available includes: 4 tandem plow/sander combination units; 3 tandem sanders; 12 graders; 3 loaders; and 5 sidewalk plows.
• Wet snow may cover traffic signals and can only be cleaned safely in lower wind speeds.
• Stop, yield and road signs may also be covered, so be aware at intersections.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wet heavy snow may also affect electrical service. Trevor Bell, Director of Saskatoon Light & Power says staff are ready for service interruptions.

“We’re keeping an eye on the weather and have a trouble crew and standby personnel on hand to deal with issues as they arise,” Bell says. “We will also call in additional crews to respond to power outages if needed.”

Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur. They will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Construction & Design

Most of the City’s construction projects are nearing completion or in the process of being closed for winter.

“The impact this weather will have depends not so much on the amount of snow that falls, but rather on the length of time the snow stays and the weather after the snowfall,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design. “A few days of snow that quickly melts is the same as rain.”

If we have enough warm, dry weather, work sites will dry up and paving can continue.

Transit

Transit service will be operating as regularly scheduled. Customers may experience delays due to heavy snowfall, ice or traffic congestion due to weather. Saskatoon Transit will provide updates through service alerts should conditions change.   

Parks & Urban Forestry

Because leaves are not fully off the trees, wet heavy snow may cause limbs to fall.

“Parks crews will be focused on locations where branches are blocking roadways and sidewalks, or have the potential for injury or damage,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “Crews will continue to monitor the extent of City-wide tree damage and will be available to work extended hours so that follow-up on citizen reports can continue to occur.”

To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.

Residents should leave a message with details including the adjacent address and describe the issue so that staff can prioritize the response.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.

Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill. 

For timely updates check the City website and snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.