Winter Storm Updates: March 3, 2023

Last updated: Sunday, March 5 at 12:53PM

Forecasted weather conditions:

• 20 to 30 cm of snow accumulated across the city Friday overnight.
• Partly cloudy this afternoon and clear this evening.
• Cloudy on Monday with a slight chance of snow showers Monday evening

Snow clearing operations:

• On March 4, the City of Toronto declared a Major Snowstorm Condition.
  • During the major snowstorm condition, parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited for a period of 72 hours. This parking restriction has taken effect and we ask that vehicles parked on designated snow routes be moved as soon as possible as this will enable crews to clear roads more effectively. Vehicles remaining on designated snow routes will be ticketed and towed.
  • All snow routes are clearly signed with signs on street poles or temporary orange signs, are primarily in the downtown core and include all streetcar routes. 
• Snow clearing operations continue across Toronto today. Operations include plowing, sidewalk clearing, bike lane clearing, transit stop clearing, windrow removal and laneway salting.
• Clearing operations are expected to continue this week as multiple passes of equipment will be required.
• Snow removal operations are anticipated to begin tomorrow to ensure safety and accessibility. In preparation, the City has opened four designated snow dump sites.

Forestry operations:

• Forestry continues to respond to calls about downed trees and branches.
• Crews prioritize work based on hazards to public safety or property, as well as roads that need to be cleared. Fallen branches and trees can be reported to 311.

City service impacts

Recreation facilities:

• Community recreation centres are open today, Sunday, March 5 with normal operating hours.
• Crews began working on outdoor ice rinks yesterday and work continues today. Outdoor artificial ice rinks are re-opening as surface snow is cleared. Please check www.toronto.ca/skate for rink status.

Warming Centres:

• The Warming Centre at Metro Hall (55 John St.) remains open today.
• Warming Centres at Scarborough Civic Centre, Mitchell Field Community Centre and Cecil Community Centre are closed to new admissions. Staff are working to provide clients who remain on site with a referral to a shelter or 24-hour respite site. This will likely take a number of days during which time people will continue to be sheltered indoors.
• A number of daytime drop-in programs are also available across the city.
• More information about drop-ins, Warming Centres and other services to help those experiencing homelessness can be found at www.toronto.ca/HomelessHelp.

Museums and Cultural Centres:

• All Museums and Cedar Ridge Cultural Centre and the Clark Centre for the Arts are open today, Sunday, March 5, with regular operating hours.  

Toronto Public Library:

• All Toronto Public Library branches and buildings have re-opened. For information about hours, visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/.

TTC:

• Train service on the Line 3 Scarborough line is back to normal following the clean-up from the major snowstorm that hit the GTA Friday and Saturday.
• All 41 bus stops located on hilly areas that were taken out of service due to slippery road conditions are back in service.
• Wheel-Trans has resumed normal operations.
• All Express bus services have resumed normal operations.
• The planned weekend closure on Line 1 between York Mills and Bloor-Yonge is permanently cancelled this weekend, and will be rescheduled.
  Customers are advised to follow @TTCNotices on Twitter or check www.ttc.ca for updates and, in the event of bad weather, to leave extra travel time.
• More information is also available here: www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Service-changes-in-the-event-of-winter-weather.

Advice for residents:

• Residents that have vehicles parked on designated snow routes are asked to move their vehicles as soon as possible.
• Residents are encouraged to clear the private walkways and paths as soon as possible and help neighbours, especially those who are seniors or have mobility issues.
• 211 is a great resource that can connect seniors and those with mobility needs with community services and assistance.
• Everyone is asked to keep a safe distance from snow clearing equipment and crews before, during and after the storm and to let them complete their work safely.
• Residents are asked to be patient while crews are at work and wait about 48 hours after the snow stops falling before connecting with 311 to create a service request.
• Track where plows and salt trucks are and which roads and sidewalks have been serviced using the City’s real-time, online tracking map available at www.toronto.ca/PlowTO.  
• Follow the City on Twitter to get the latest updates via @cityoftoronto.  

About the City’s snow clearing operations:

• Toronto’s 5,780 km of roads, 7,400 km of sidewalks and 776 km of bike lanes and major trails are cleared by a fleet of approximately 1,100 pieces of salting and plowing equipment.
• Personnel are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to quickly and strategically mobilize when a winter storm approaches.
• In most cases, snow can be managed within the existing road allowance. However, when Toronto receives large amounts of snow, the windrows left by snow clearing operations (plowing and salting) can restrict traffic flow, interfere with both pedestrians and parking, and obstruct sightlines.
• For more information, including service levels: www.toronto.ca/snow.