Notice of Significant Weather Event December 23, 2024

December 23, 2024

Township of Greater Madawaska Declares a Significant Weather Event

In response to the Environment Canada alert for a snowfall warning in effect in our area, the Township of Greater Madawaska has declared a Significant Weather Event that will impact travel and services throughout the municipality. This declaration is made pursuant to Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the municipality declares the Significant Weather Event has ended. In each case, during the course of a declared Significant Weather Event, the standard for addressing winter maintenance is to monitor the weather and to deploy resources to address the issue starting from the time that the municipality deems it appropriate to do so. When the municipality has declared the event has ended, the standard timelines for winter maintenance activities will resume.

The Township of Greater Madawaska wishes to note that the declaration of a Significant Weather Event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure. The declaration is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on Township of Greater Madawaska roads and that it may take longer than usual to bring the condition of the roads back to a state of repair due to the weather.

A notice will follow once the Significant Weather Event declaration has ended. 

ENVIRONMENT CANADA WARNING IN EFFECT:

Snowfall warning in effect:

Winter weather travel advisory is in effect for today through tonight.

Significant snowfall expected this afternoon through tonight.

Hazards:

Total snowfall amounts of 15 to 20 cm.

Peak snowfall rates of 2 to 3 cm per hour.

Poor visibility in areas of heavier snow.

Timing:

Beginning this afternoon and tapering off Tuesday morning.

Discussion:

Snow at times heavy is expected to develop this afternoon. Snow will taper off to flurries with a risk of freezing drizzle Tuesday morning. There is still some uncertainty with where the heaviest snow will be but most regions are expected to see near 15 centimetres with locally up to 20 centimetres possible.

Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada at https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=45.305,-76.717 .

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steve Inwood

Public Works Supervisor 

email

613-752-1442