CITY SNOW OPERATIONS FOR WEATHER FORECAST

Environment Canada has forecast strong wind and up to ten centimetres (four inches) of snow for Saskatoon today.  The City has extra staff, contractors and equipment ready to keep the priority streets clear, sanded/salted during – and following – the snow event.  

As a result, streets scheduled for snow grading to remove ruts today will be rescheduled.  The program to remove ruts and reduce the packed snow that can cause severe ruts has been ongoing for several weeks.   You may find a new schedule at www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow once crews can complete the Priority 1, 2 and 3 streets. 

Streets may become icy, due to heavy winds blowing snow across the roadway. City crews will be doing their best to keep them sanded/salted, so please watch for equipment on the road.  The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time of day or night.  By keeping a safe distance from the equipment and approaching slowly, we can all be safe on the road. 

Throughout the snow event, Snow & Ice Update PSAs are issued to local news media and posted on the City’s website by 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., ending 72 hours after the snow stops.  The Snow Clearing Interactive Map is updated at the same time showing the status of snow grading on the priority streets after a snow event.  Sanding/salting and grading occurs based on the following Priority System*:

Priority 1 (Highest traffic streets) will be plowed within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends.

Priority 2 (Rapid transit bus routes and busy streets) will be graded within 36 hours.

Priority 3 (Main streets and school zones) will be graded within 72 hours.

*Another snowfall or blowing snow within the 72-hour timeframe may require crews to return to Priority 1 streets, causing clearing to take longer.

SIDEWALKS:
We all want to be able to safely use the sidewalk.  If we all do our part and clear sidewalks in front of residents and commercial areas, we can help improve public safety.  Please do not place cleared snow onto the road because it can cause safety issues for pedestrians and drivers, and can be an issue for drainage during melt.

If your neighbour is elderly or has health or mobility restrictions, be a Snow Angel and clear their sidewalk after a snowfall. If you receive help from a neighbour, use the online form to nominate them as a “Snow Angel”. Once nominated, we’ll send your Snow Angel a thank you and enter them in a prize draw. 

Click on www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow to learn about the City’s Snow & Ice program.