Weather Hub
This page provides important information to residents, business owners and visitors to help them be informed and prepared during adverse weather events. For the latest weather alerts, visit the Environment Canada website.
The City also issues notices regarding service disruptions, facility closures and the weather-related parking ban through the news section of our website and on social media. You can also subscribe to receive alerts and emails.
Notices
Information regarding weather-related disruptions to city services, facility closures and when the weather-related parking ban is in effect will be posted here.
No Current Notices
Snow Clearing - What to Expect
The City clears over 1,400 lane kilometres of road and 193 kilometres of sidewalks during a snow event. It is important to understand our service levels and priorities, which guide how and when roads and sidewalks are cleared following winter weather.
Service Priorities
For snowfall up to 25 cm, streets will be cleared within 24 hours following the storm. For snowfall exceeding 25 cm, blizzard conditions, or rapidly changing weather, additional time may be required for clearing.
The specified timeline may be extended if there is additional snowfall or icing during this period. Crews will work until all streets and designated sidewalks are cleared.
We salt and plow streets in a priority order that is primarily based on traffic volumes. This ensures emergency vehicle access is always maintained to the greatest number of residents.
Wondering what priority level your street is? Use our street look up to find out.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are completed within priority order following a snow event, with school zones receiving the highest priority followed by high traffic areas. Routes and priorities are outlined in the map linked below.
Depending on the amount and type of snow on the ground, most streets in the sidewalk program will be cleared within five days from the end of a winter event. For snowfall exceeding 25 cm, blizzard conditions, or rapidly changing weather, additional time may be required for clearing.
Please DO NOT pile snow on the sidewalk, this will make it very difficult, and sometimes impossible, for our sidewalk plows to clear. It also delays service in other areas.
Other Helpful Information
Highways and Ramps: The Provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for the snow clearing of highways and related on/off ramps including:
- Outer Ring Road
- Team Gushue Highway
- Brier Avenue
- Pitts Memorial Drive
- Robert E Howlett Memorial Drive
- Trans Canada Highway
Please visit 511NL.ca for current highway conditions or to report a concern to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bus Shelters: The City of St. John's clears bus stops that fall along the sidewalk snow clearing routes while Metrobus clears the shelters. For concerns, please call 709-570-2020.
Mailboxes: Canada Post removes snow around community mailboxes. For concerns, please call 1-866-607-6301.
In the event of power outages, please refer to the Newfoundland Power website or call 1-800-474-5711.
Memorial University and Health Sciences Centre: MUN maintains the streets around the university and Health Science Centre including:
- Clinch Crescent
- Arctic Avenue
- Morrisey Road
- Livyers Loop
Please contact facman@mun.ca with concerns.
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.
Other Important Information
The links below provide useful information on what to expect during a snow event and how to be prepared.
Winter Parking
A parking ban may be implemented on roads outside the downtown area during or following adverse weather events. The purpose of the ban is to keep roads free of parked vehicles so that crews can quickly and safely clear snow or debris.
Once declared, the ban will be in place 24 hours a day until it is lifted. Violations to weather-related parking bans are subject to a $75 fine.
For information about other winter related parking bans, visit our Winter Parking webpage linked below.
Winter Waste Collection
With the amount of snow and strong winds we experience during the winter months, please do not put waste carts or bags out before 6 a.m. on your collection day. Placing your waste out early or the night before can cause bins and loose waste to blow into streets and interfere with snow clearing and plowing operations. Also, please bring carts back in as soon as possible after pickup.
Click the link below to find your schedule or sign up for waste collection reminders and get notified if collection is postponed.
Storm Preparedness Tips
Residents should always prepare to be on their own for up to 72 hours during adverse weather events.
Click the link below for tips on how to be prepared, from home essentials to what to put in your emergency kit.
Plow Tracker
Check out our Plow Tracker to track our snowplows and heavy equipment. Please note that there are brief times it may appear that plows are not active on the map. If there is snow falling, rest assured we are out there working on your streets and sidewalks.
Learn More or Contact Us
If you have an inquiry, Access St. John’s is available 24/7 via phone (709-754-CITY, 311) or email access@stjohns.ca.
Reports of hazards should be reported immediately. We ask that residents wait until after the service delivery timelines to submit general inquiries regarding snow clearing to allow staff to focus on cleanup efforts. Often times, issues are resolved within that timeline.
Visit StJohns.ca/snow for further information about snow clearing in the City of St. John’s.
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