City Crews Preparing for Potential Winter Storm

With a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada calling for rain, snow and possible ice pellets, City crews are preparing area roads.

Rain is forecast to begin tonight then transition to light snow Thursday afternoon or Thursday evening. A few centimetres of snowfall accumulation will be possible by Christmas morning. Christmas Day could see 5 to 15 cm of snow before a potential transition to ice pellets or freezing rain.

Before severe weather hits, City crews will begin the process of anti-icing bridges and select roadways. This process involves placing a layer of brine on the surface of the pavement to prevent snow and ice from freezing to the road. Brine has a freezing point lower than pure water, a useful tool in preventing snow and ice from sticking to pavement.

Weather conditions are closely monitored by municipal staff around-the-clock, seven days-a-week, using a customized weather service, Ontario Ministry of Transportation highway reports, and data generated from local remote weather stations.

Staff regularly patrols municipal roads throughout the city to assess the need for plowing, sanding and salting. A chart outlining when crews are deployed, along with other information on winter operations, can be found at www.greatersudbury.ca/winter.

Please drive according to weather and road conditions and exercise caution around operating plows.

Updates and information on City services during the snowstorm are shared via social media on Twitter (@greatersudbury) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/greatersudbury).

New: Significant Weather Event Policy
This year, a new Significant Weather Event (SWE) policy is in effect, which means the public can expect enhanced messaging from the City when this declaration is issued by Environment Canada. The new policy defines a SWE as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with potential to pose a significant danger to users of roads and highways within a municipality.

The City will issue a SWE based on Environment Canada’s weather hazard warnings.

A SWE is not a notice of road or highway closures. The declaration notifies the public to use more caution when travelling on roads, as significant forecasted or occurring weather events may pose delays to crews as they attempt to plow roadways.

In the event of a SWE, the City of Greater Sudbury will notify the public via:

• City of Greater Sudbury website
• City of Greater Sudbury social media sites
• notification to local media outlets

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