| 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: | |
| Weather Event END TIME: | |
| Status: |
| Date & Time of Update: | |
| Status: |
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 overnight winter parking ban WILL NOT be in effect overnight. |
| Notifications: | CLICK HERE to register for Overnight Winter Parking Ban notifications |
NOTE: Residents are advised not to rely solely on these notifications for parking ban information. For updates on the status of the parking ban visit halifax.ca, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, or call 311.
Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed any time during the day or night, any day of the 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.
New for the 2020/21 winter season
During the September 29, 2020 Regional Council meeting, updated Winter Operations Service Standards were approved. These include new standards for protected bike lanes, local street bikeways, increased sidewalk priorities for school and health centre frontages and implementation of a rolling parking ban in the downtown core to assist with snow removal following significant weather events.
In addition to the updated standards, contracted parking enforcement has increased to enforce parking restrictions in both urban and rural areas. Learn more here.
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 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 event to 3 metres centreline bare | 3 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 weather event to centre line bare and 2 lane width | Centreline bare |
| Residential streets (Priority 2) | After 10 cm of snowfall | Cut-throughs completed within first 6 hours and repeated every 8 hours during extended periods of snow | Cut-through |
| Residential streets (Priority 2) | After 10 cm of snowfall | 24 hours from end of 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 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 weather event | See below |
| Main arterials and School drop-off zones (Priority 1) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 12 hours from end of weather event | See below |
| Halifax Transit routes (Priority 2) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 18 hours from end of weather event | See below |
| Residential streets/ walkways (Priority 3) | After 15 cm of snowfall | 36 hours from end of weather event | See below |
| Intersections/ bus stops | After sidewalks are completed | 48 hours from end of 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.