| Event Type and Accumulation | Update Times |
|---|---|
| Minor (0-5 cm) & Average (5-15 cm) | 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. |
| Major (15+ cm) | 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m. |
Updates will also be shared via @hfxgov on Twitter
Clearing operations
Municipal streets and sidewalks are cleared based on priority levels outlined in the chart below. When a weather event is declared, regular updates on clearing operations, including salting, sanding and overnight snow removal, will be shared here.
| Date & Time of Update: | N/A |
| Weather Event END TIME: | N/A |
- Snow Clearing Details
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N/A
| Date & Time of Update: | N/A |
-
There are no municipal service impacts due to the weather at this time.
Status of overnight parking ban
The municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect annually from Dec. 15 to Mar. 31. The ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations only. Daily updates are provided on this web page throughout the winter season.
| Status: | The winter parking ban WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT overnight from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Notifications: | CLICK HERE to register for Overnight Winter Parking Ban notifications |
New for 2021-22 winter season
This winter season the municipality is implementing two zones for the overnight parking ban: Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central.
Zone 1 – Central refers to the Halifax Peninsula and downtown Dartmouth within Highway 111 (the Circumferential Highway) and some surrounding areas.
Zone 2 – Non-Central is a designated area outside of Zone 1 – Central.
It’s important to note that with the introduction of the two zones, the following parking ban scenarios may occur during, or following, a declared weather event:
- Municipal overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted (both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central)
- Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted
- Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted
- Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 2 – Non-Central
- Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 1 – Central
In previous winter seasons, targeted snow removal in certain downtown areas was required when the overnight winter parking ban was not enforced. The change to create two zones will improve service delivery by leveraging overnight winter parking bans that can accommodate more targeted snow removal.
Residents are able to determine what zone they’re in by searching their address using the interactive tool available here or via the map below.
Overnight winter parking bans will continue to be communicated to residents via public service announcements, hfxALERT, halifax.ca and @hfxgov on Twitter. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios.
Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed, day or night, at any time of year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
When will my street/ sidewalk be cleared?
Crews begin their work before bad weather arrives by applying salt and/ or brine (as appropriate) and will begin clearing once the snow starts to accumulate. The chart below shows when clearing should be finished and what your street or sidewalk should look like when the job is done. NOTE: Clearing timelines may be exceeded during exceptional weather conditions.
Once a weather event has been declared in the Halifax region, follow these steps:
- Check the chart below for when clearing should be completed
- If your street or sidewalk has not been cleared by the indicated time, please ContactUs@311.halifax.ca or call 311 so crews can be dispatched to address the issue.
Street clearing timelines
NOTE: Exceptional weather conditions may require more time for clearing than indicated in the chart below.
| Street type | When clearing begins | When clearing should be completed. | What clearing should look like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main arterials (Priority 1) | After 2 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of declared weather event to full driving lanes | Bare pavement driving lanes |
| Halifax Transit routes & collector roads (Priority 1) | After 2 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of declared weather event to three metres centreline bare | Three metres centreline bare |
| Residential streets with greater than 10% slope that serve as snow routes for Halifax Transit (Priority 1) | After 4 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of declared weather event to centreline bare and two lane width | Centreline bare |
| Residential streets (Priority 2) | After 10 cm of snowfall | Every eight hours during extended periods of snow | Cut-through |
| Residential streets (Priority 2) | After 10 cm of snowfall | 24 hours from end of declared weather event to snow-covered, passable state | Snow-covered, passable |
| Gravel roads and private lanes (Priority 2) | After 10 cm of snowfall | 24 hours from end of declared weather event, to snow-covered, passable state | Snow-covered, passable |
What street clearing should look like
Main arterials (Priority 1)
Bare pavement driving lanes
Transit routes & collector roads (Priority 1)
3m centreline bare
Residential streets with 10%+ slope that serve as snow routes for Halifax Transit (Priority 1)
Centreline bare
Residential Streets (Priority 2)
Cut through lanes
Residential Streets (Priority 2)
Snow covered, passable
Gravel Roads and Private Lanes (Priority 2)
Snow covered, passable
Sidewalk clearing timelines
NOTE: Exceptional weather conditions may require more time for clearing than indicated in the chart below.
Protected bike lanes and local street bikeways will now be cleared alongside corresponding sidewalks.
| Sidewalk type | When clearing begins | When clearing should be completed. | What clearing should look like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Halifax & Dartmouth (Priority 1) | After 5 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of declared weather event | See below |
| Main arterials and School drop-off zones (Priority 1) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of declared weather event | See below |
| Halifax Transit routes (Priority 2) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 18 hours from end of declared weather event | See below |
| Residential streets/ walkways (Priority 3) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 36 hours from end of declared weather event | See below |
| Intersections/ bus stops | After sidewalks are completed | 24 hours from end of declared weather event | See below |
What sidewalk clearing should look like
Before sidewalk clearing
After sidewalk clearing
When should I contact 311?
Before contacting 311 to report snow and ice clearing issues, please check the specified service timelines in the chart above to confirm when clearing should be completed on your street or sidewalk.
If clearing efforts are still within the timelines, residents should not contact 311 as the agent will be unable to dispatch any crew. Please wait until the service timeline has expired before contacting 311. If you contact 311 before the specified timelines have passed, your concerns will be recorded but crews will not dispatched, as it is expected that they will get to all areas as they are able.
Residents are asked to report any snow or ice removal issues by ContactUs@311.halifax.ca or calling 311 once the specified service timelines have passed.
Improved convenience: Next time you need to contact 311, try the "Call Back" feature during busy times, which reserves your spot in the call queue without having to wait on the line for the next available agent.
Exceptional weather conditions
Streets and sidewalks are prioritized based on several criteria, including how often they’re used by commuters, access to important infrastructure like hospitals and schools and whether they’re on major bus and transportation routes.
Residents should note that in snowfalls greater than 30 centimeters or in blizzard conditions, more time may be needed to complete clearing. The same exception may apply when there are rapidly changing weather conditions. Crews will continue working until all streets and sidewalks are clear and safe.