Snow clearing crews on standby; City facilities to remain open

RICHMOND HILL – Environment Canada is forecasting another 25-30+cm of snow and extreme cold in Richmond Hill this Sunday. Here’s what residents need to know.

Snow clearing

City crews will be out salting starting mid-day Sunday. As snow accumulates, road and sidewalk clearing will begin first, followed by windrow clearing later in the day. Operations will continue through the night to mid-day Monday and be followed by further cleanup of smaller courts and dead-end streets.*

• Main roads and sidewalks are cleared first, followed by neighbourhood streets.
• Windrow crews aim to clear a minimum of one car’s width of the driveway at the curb so a car can get through.
• Heavy snow and extreme cold may slow operations and take multiple rounds of plowing to clear.
• It may take several days to clear all City sidewalks.

*Timing is subject to change based on weather conditions

On-street parking

On-street parking will be prohibited while snow clearing is ongoing. To be notified when restrictions take effect, residents can subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/WinterUpdates or follow us on Facebook and X/Twitter.

Recreation Programs & Facilities

City recreation facilities will be open, with programs and permits running as scheduled.

• If closures/cancellations are needed, participants and permit holders will be notified directly.
• Participants can also call the inclement weather hotline for info at 905-771-5487.

Waste collection

Waste collection for the week of January 26 will continue as scheduled, but delays are possible.

• If your waste isn’t collected on your regular day, it will be picked up the next morning.
• Please help our crews by placing your waste bins away from the curb on the right side of your driveway (if you’re facing the house), not on the road or snowbanks.

Residents can help winter operations run smoothly

• Keep roads and sidewalks clear of parked cars, so plows and emergency vehicles can get through or you could receive a ticket
• Don’t park near the bottom of your driveway
• Don’t shovel snow onto the road or sidewalk
• Keep a safe distance if you’re driving near a plow. Blowing snow and blind spots can obscure a driver’s vision, making it harder to see smaller vehicles
• Be a Hydrant Hero by clearing one metre of snow from around fire hydrants near your property to make them accessible in case of an emergency

Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to be cautious, leave extra time and avoid non-essential trips if possible.

For snow clearing and parking updates, subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/WinterUpdates or follow us on Facebook and X/Twitter @myRichmondHill.

For more information about Environment Canada's upcoming weather predictions, visit their website.