As winter is now underway, our snowplows are ready to respond
Last year was a lot of snow, London – The second-highest accumulation of snow that we’ve seen in 30 years. And on November 11, it was the earliest snowfall in 50 years, but our crews were ready.
Through all the flurries and snow squalls, our snowplow operators help keep London moving by maintaining:
- 3,800+ km of roads (that’s like driving from London to Vancouver—and back!)
- 1,700+ km of sidewalks (long enough you could line up over 1.5 million snowmen, shoulder to snowy shoulder)
- 2,100+ bus stops (more stops than a cross-country train trip—with a lot more snow shovelling involved)
- 720+ cul-de-sacs
- plus, bridges, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings. If it connects people, we’re clearing it.
“Our 24/7 response team has already been out this November clearing streets and sidewalks, and we’re ready for another busy winter,” says Joel Gillard, Division Manager, Road Operations. “As we gear up for another season of snowflakes and frosty mornings, make sure you’re in the know before you go. Bookmark london.ca/snow for updates from our teams - from snowplow progress to parking bans. When you’re on the roads, remember to slow down, be safe, and plan ahead before heading out. We appreciate Londoners’ patience as we respond.”
After a major snowfall wraps up, here’s what to expect
We focus on major roads and bus routes first, following Provincial guidelines. This means we are clearing roads around hospitals, schools, and high-traffic roads that let you travel in and out of the city. Once these areas are clear and safe, we move on to clearing neighbourhood roads, sidewalks, and bus stops. This can take between 24-48 hours to clear London roads and sidewalks.
You can learn more about our levels of service online here.
Snow at the end of your driveway? Here’s why it happens
We get it—waking up to a freshly plowed street and snow at the end of your driveway isn’t exactly the winter magic you might be hoping for. While we try our best to avoid it, sometimes the snow just has to go somewhere—and unfortunately, that “somewhere” can be the end of your driveway. When snow is pushed off the road, it naturally ends up along the edges, including boulevards, driveways and laneways.
We know it’s frustrating, and we appreciate your patience (and your shovels). If you’re able, lend a hand to a neighbour who might need help clearing theirs. A little #LdnKindness goes a long way—especially when the snow piles up.
There are also local organizations like Snow Angels London that connect volunteers with neighbours who need help with shovelling driveways.
Crunch, crunch – winter walks await on our park pathways
Love a winter walk? The Thames Valley Parkway and select park paths are cleared to a recreational standard after 8 cm of snow. They’re left snow-packed so bundle up and check the forecast before heading out.
Need a break from the Brrr?
When the cold gets extreme (–15°C or worse), our community centres are open for Londoners needing a reprieve. Cold alerts and open locations will be posted at london.ca/snow so you can find a warm place to take a break.
Skates and swims during a snowstorm
Open, closed, or snowed in? We’ll let you know. Community centres, arenas, and pools may stay open, open late, or close early depending on the weather. Check london.ca/snow for the latest updates before heading out for a skate or swim.
When the plows roll out, the cars roll in (off the street)
From November 15 to March 31, overnight street parking is restricted. A maximum of 15 free overnight parking passes can be requested per vehicle license plate, valid on most City streets. Vehicles parked on City streets without a valid pass may receive a parking fine. Additional passes beyond the free limit are available for $5.00 each on the HONK website. Visit london.ca/overnightparking for more information.
At times, we may issue a parking ban to clear the roads for our snow plows. If you’re registered for a parking pass, we’ll give you a heads-up by email and post it at london.ca/snow.
Keeping it safe, not salty
We keep salt use to a minimum on our roads to help reduce our environmental impact. Crews salt only main roads and bus routes and core pedestrian areas to prevent snow and ice from sticking to the road.
On neighbourhood streets, we use sand at intersections, curves, and hills to keep things grippy.
Stormwater ponds – pretty, but NOT for play
Stormwater management ponds gather and temporarily hold the water from rainfall and snow melt. With unpredictable ice thickness and a continuous flow of water, stormwater management ponds are not safe for winter recreation like skating and tobogganing. The ice is dangerous, so please admire them from the path.
Report snowy situations
See a slippery sidewalk or a snow-blocked path? Let us know through the Service London portal. After a snow fall, we continue plowing roads, sidewalks, and pathways and your reports help us keep things safe and moving. Please allow our response team 24 hours from the end of a snowfall to report a service request.
So, London—let’s do this. Be kind, be safe, and be ready. And don’t forget to show some #LdnKindness this winter. We’re all in this snow globe together.