City Prepares for First Snow Storm of 2024

City crews are preparing for the winter storm forecasted to start today (January 5, 2024), continuing until Saturday morning, which could bring significant snowfall.  

Consider postponing non-essential travel during stormy conditions with low visibility. If you are driving, please allow extra time for the commute, slow down, and prepare for winter driving conditions.

City crews work around the clock on roads and designated sidewalks during and after a snowstorm. You can help our crews do their job safely and effectively by doing your part and keeping your distance when you see plows or other City vehicles on the roadway.

Parking Ban

When the 24-hour parking ban is in effect, you cannot park on the street outside the designated downtown area. Vehicles parked on city streets outside downtown may be ticketed and/or towed.

We will publish news articles when the restriction is announced. You can receive emails stating when the parking restriction will come into effect, and when it will be lifted, by subscribing to the '24 Hour Parking Ban' category, under the news section.

The purpose of the ban is to keep roads free of parked vehicles so that crews can quickly and safely clear snow. Our operators can clear snow safely and quickly when vehicles are not parked on the streets.

Service levels

When it snows less than 25 cm, crews will complete at least one cut on all streets within 12 hours of the END of the storm. Street widening often continues for 24 hours after the snowstorm has ended. If snowfall exceeds 25 cm, timelines will increase.

Learn more about our snow clearing service levels.

Please DO NOT place the snow back onto a road or a sidewalk included on a sidewalk snow clearing route when shoveling.

When snow is put back in the road, crews are then required to return multiple times, and this reduces our efficiency throughout the city. It also creates a hazard for pedestrians and motorists.

Sidewalk route

We have 175 km of sidewalks identified for snow clearing and ice control that are completed in a priority order. The routes are outlined on this map.

Depending on the amount and type of snow on the ground, most streets in the sidewalk program will be plowed within four to seven days following the end of the storm.

If you live on a sidewalk route – please DO NOT pile snow on the sidewalk, this will make it very difficult, and sometimes impossible, for our sidewalk plows to complete their route.

Private snow clearing operators

Private contractors clearing snow for businesses throughout the city are asked to stay within the boundaries of the area that they are clearing.

When private contractors place snow on public spaces such as sidewalks and city streets, this creates issues for everyone in the community. If you see a private operator placing snow in a public space such as a sidewalk or public road, please report the details to Access St. John’s so this can be investigated.

Access St. John’s is available 24/7 via phone 754-CITY, 311, email access@stjohns.ca or via the app in your app store.

Learn more and stay informed

Track our snowplows and heavy equipment on this map.

Follow the @CityofStJohns on Twitter for updates on City snow clearing operations, service interruptions, and other city news.

If you park on the street downtown, sign up for snow removal emails.

If you park on the street outside of the downtown, sign up to receive an email when the 24-Hour Parking Ban is in effect, and when it is lifted.

Visit StJohns.ca/snow for further information about snow clearing in the City of St. John’s.