Mississauga says it’s ready for a big dump of snow the next two days

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Published February 2, 2022 at 4:01 pm

As Mississauga braces for another big dump of snow today and tomorrow, city officials say the snow plows are ready to handle whatever weather comes this way.

Two weeks after enduring a snowstorm for the ages, in which many residents were stranded in their homes by windrows after a dumping of 45cm, Mississauga is expecting another 20cm or more today and tomorrow.

Environment Canada issued a weather advisory today for Mississauga and surrounding areas in the GTA calling for up to 20cm of snow by tomorrow and reduced visibilities on the roads.

“Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly,” the advisory reads. “Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.”

The City of Mississauga says it’s prepared for the latest round of snow.

“A few weeks ago, Mississauga saw record-breaking snowfall, which took nearly four days to clear off roads, even with crews working around-the-clock,” a City spokesperson said in an email release today. “While Canadian winters often see back-to-back snowstorms, the volume of snow that we already have in addition to the forecasted 20cm or more coming this week, the City of Mississauga is sharing some important information on how they are responding and what (residents) can do to help.”

City officials say Mississauga’s Winter Maintenance team is ready for this afternoon’s snowstorm, and “crews are ready to clear the snow and respond to whatever Mother Nature has in store.”

Here’s what the City’s winter crews do during a storm:

  • first, the clearing of priority roads, priority sidewalks and bus stops. It’s important to clear major roads so emergency services and transit vehicles can travel on them safely, and for the public to access hospitals, schools and public transit
  • second, the clearing of secondary roads. The smaller residential roads are cleared once all the priority roads are cleared
  • also, if the snow continues to fall or the City declares a Significant Weather Event, a priority road may get plowed many times before City crews can get to secondary roads

“The City of Mississauga needs residents to be patient. The City has a comprehensive snow-plowing plan that considers all needs of the city,” the email statement reads.

City officials also note there are several things residents can do to help with the snow-clearing process:

  • remove cars and garbage cans off streets: not doing so can cause a delay in streets being plowed
  • help neighbours: if you have seniors or those who may need a helping hand in snow removal, please do what you can to be a friendly neighbour
  • prepare for windrows: you may need to shovel twice depending on when your street is plowed. Windrows are the leftover snow from the snow plows at the end of driveways. The City is not responsible for clearing these in Mississauga unless residents are registered for the Windrow Snow Clearing program for older adults and people with physical disabilities
  • plan ahead: pick up groceries, medication and be prepared that roads may be unsafe to travel on for the next few days
  • only travel if absolutely necessary: as roads may be slippery, only travel if necessary. Fewer cars on the roads means plows move around the city quickly and roads are more accessible for emergency service vehicles

Mississauga and other regions across southern Ontario still have visible reminders of the historic Jan. 17 snowstorm and blizzard in the form of huge snow hills and windrows.

Most parts of Mississauga received about 45cm of snow that day while Pearson Airport in northeast Mississauga recorded 33cm.

The 45cm was the most snow in Mississauga in a single day since 1944, when the city was known as Toronto Township.

The amount received at the airport was the third-most since 1937.

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