St. John’s, Newfoundland, is known for its vibrant culture and stunning coastal scenery, but it’s also a place where residents and visitors need to be well-prepared for diverse and sometimes challenging weather conditions. This guide provides essential information to help you navigate the weather in St. John’s, ensuring you are informed and ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way.
Staying Informed About Weather Alerts
Keeping up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts and alerts is crucial in St. John’s. Environment Canada is the primary source for reliable weather information. You can access the most current weather alerts for the region by visiting the Environment Canada website. This will keep you informed about any impending storms, snowfall, or other significant weather events that could impact your plans or safety.
The City of St. John’s also plays a vital role in disseminating weather-related information. For notifications about service disruptions, facility closures, and weather-related parking bans, regularly check the news section of the City’s website. To receive timely updates directly to your inbox, you can subscribe to the City’s news and advisories via email.
Subscribe to stay informed about important weather-related announcements from the City of St. John’s.
Weather-Related Parking Bans in St. John’s
Understanding Parking Bans
During and after significant weather events, particularly snowstorms, the City of St. John’s may implement parking bans to facilitate efficient snow removal and ensure the safe passage of emergency vehicles. These bans are crucial for keeping roads clear and accessible for everyone.
Snow Removal and Parking
In the downtown area, the City announces streets scheduled for snow removal or widening by 3 p.m. daily during the winter. If you park downtown overnight, it’s essential to check the snow removal list to avoid having your vehicle towed. You can find this list through the Snow Removal Advisories.
Alt text: A snowplow efficiently clears a snow-covered street in St. John’s, Newfoundland, ensuring roads are accessible after a winter storm.
Weather-related parking bans can also be implemented on roads outside the downtown core. When declared, these bans are in effect 24 hours a day until officially lifted. Parking ban violations can result in a $75 fine. For more detailed information about winter parking regulations, visit the City’s Winter Parking webpage.
Storm Preparedness: Tips for Residents
Being prepared for adverse weather is a fundamental aspect of living in St. John’s. Residents should be equipped to manage independently for at least 72 hours during significant weather events. Here are some essential storm preparedness tips:
Before the Storm
- Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and alerts from reliable sources like Environment Canada and local news outlets. Understanding the approaching weather conditions allows you to take proactive steps.
- Emergency Kit: Assemble a comprehensive emergency kit that includes:
- Non-perishable food and bottled water.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- First-aid kit and necessary medications.
- Copies of important documents.
- Special items for children, pets, or individuals with specific needs.
- Stay Charged: Ensure your cell phones and portable chargers are fully charged. Consider investing in a solar or hand-crank charger as a backup power source during outages.
- Backup Lighting/Power: Have flashlights readily available and a sufficient supply of batteries. If using candles for emergency lighting, exercise extreme caution and never leave them unattended. If you have a generator, ensure it is in good working order, test it periodically, and have an adequate supply of fuel stored safely.
- Home Essentials: Stock up on essential home supplies, including bottled water, non-perishable food items, warm blankets, and appropriate clothing. Ensure you have enough supplies for your entire household, including pets, for several days.
For more in-depth preparedness guidance, visit beprepared.ca.
During the Storm
- Limit Travel: If possible, postpone non-essential travel during severe weather, especially when visibility is low. If travel is necessary, allow extra commuting time, drive cautiously, and be prepared for winter driving conditions.
- Park Off-Street: Park vehicles off-street whenever possible. This allows snow clearing crews to operate more efficiently and effectively. Downtown residents with access to off-street parking in their neighborhoods should utilize it during snowstorms.
- Give Space to Snowplows: City crews work tirelessly around the clock to clear roads and sidewalks. When you encounter snowplows or other City vehicles, maintain a safe distance to allow them to work safely and efficiently.
Alt text: A vibrant yellow City of St. John’s snowplow diligently clears a road heavily laden with snow during a winter storm, ensuring safe passage for vehicles.
Snow Clearing Operations: What to Expect
The City of St. John’s is committed to efficient snow clearing operations. Here’s what you can expect after a snowfall:
Road Clearing Priorities
For snowfalls up to 25 cm, the City aims to have streets cleared within 24 hours after the storm ends. For heavier snowfalls exceeding 25 cm, blizzard conditions, or rapidly changing weather, snow clearing may take longer. These timelines can also be extended if additional snowfall or icing occurs during the clearing period. Crews will continue working until all streets and designated sidewalks are cleared.
You can monitor the progress of snowplows and heavy equipment using the Plow Tracker. The City prioritizes clearing streets based on traffic volume to ensure emergency vehicle access is maintained for the majority of residents. To determine the priority level of your street, use the street look up tool.
It’s important for residents to avoid placing snow onto roads or sidewalks when shoveling. This practice hinders snow clearing efforts, requires crews to revisit areas, and creates hazards for both pedestrians and drivers.
Sidewalk Clearing
The City prioritizes snow clearing and ice control for 175 km of sidewalks, with routes and priorities detailed on this map. Sidewalks within the program are typically cleared within five days after a winter weather event, although this timeline may be extended due to additional snowfall or icing. Similarly to roads, please refrain from piling snow onto sidewalks as it obstructs sidewalk plows and delays service.
Important Contacts and Resources
For issues beyond city streets and sidewalks, here are some helpful contacts:
- Highways and Ramps: For highways and ramps like the Outer Ring Road and Trans Canada Highway, contact the Provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure via 511NL.ca for current conditions or to report concerns.
- Bus Shelters: Metrobus clears bus shelters, while the City clears bus stops along sidewalk routes. For bus shelter concerns, call 709-570-2020.
- Mailboxes: Canada Post is responsible for snow removal around community mailboxes. Contact them at 1-866-607-6301 for related concerns.
- Power Outages: For power outages, visit the Newfoundland Power website or call 1-800-474-5711.
- Memorial University and Health Sciences Centre: For areas around MUN including Clinch Crescent and Arctic Avenue, contact [email protected] for concerns.
- Private Snow Clearing Operators: To report private contractors improperly placing snow in public spaces, contact Access St. John’s at 754-CITY, 311, email [email protected], or through the Access St. John’s app.
Learn More or Contact Us
For general inquiries, Access St. John’s is available 24/7 at 709-754-CITY, 311, or [email protected]. Report hazards immediately. For non-urgent snow clearing inquiries, please wait until after service delivery timelines to allow crews to focus on cleanup. Visit StJohns.ca/snow for more snow clearing information in St. John’s.
By staying informed and prepared, residents and visitors can confidently navigate the weather in St. John’s, Newfoundland, ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions during adverse conditions.
