Weather Hub

This page provides important information to residents, business owners and visitors to help them be informed and prepared during adverse weather events. On this page, you will find:

• Notices (active disruptions to services, facility closures or weather-related parking ban alerts)
• Storm preparedness tips
• Information to know during a storm, such as safety tips and the weather-related parking ban
• Snow clearing - what to expect
• Contact information

Weather related parking bans and what to expect during and after a storm. The latest weather alerts are available by visiting 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 subscribe to the City's news and advisories to receive email updates.

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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. 

• February 7: Due to forecasted high winds, curbside waste collection will not occur on Friday, February 7. Collection will now take place on Saturday, February 8. Please place bags or bins at the curb between 6 and 8 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Storm Preparedness Tips

Residents should always prepare to be on their own for up to 72 hours during adverse weather events.

The following are some tips to help you prepare in advance:

• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and alerts from reliable news sources.
• Emergency Kit: Create an emergency kit to have on hand that includes essential items such as non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, important documents, and any special items for children or pets.
• Stay Charged: Keep your cell phones, portable chargers, and other electronic devices fully charged. Consider getting a solar charger or a hand-crank charger for emergencies.
• Backup Lighting/Power:  If you lose power, use flashlights rather than candles and have a good supply of batteries. If you use candles, don't leave them unattended. If you have a generator, fuel and test to ensure it is available if needed. Ensure an adequate supply of fuel is on hand.
• Home Essentials: Stock up on essential supplies like bottled water, food, blankets, and warm clothing. Ensure you have enough for each family member and pets for several days.

For more tips, please visit beprepared.ca.

During a Storm

Consider postponing non-essential travel during stormy conditions with low visibility. Motorists, please allow extra time for the commute, slow down, and prepare for winter driving conditions. Park off-street to allow crews to maneuver equipment and clear snow as efficiently as possible. If you live downtown and there's off-street parking available in your neighborhood, please consider parking there.

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.

Weather-Related Parking Ban

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.

Snow Clearing - What to Expect

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.

You can use our Plow Tracker to track our snowplows and heavy equipment.

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.

Please DO NOT place snow onto a road or sidewalk when shoveling.

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

Sidewalks

We have 175 km of sidewalks prioritized for snow clearing and ice control, with routes and priorities outlined on this map.

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. This timeline may be extended if there is additional snowfall or icing during this period.

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 Contacts

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 or via the app in your app store.

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.