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When the city declares a Significant Weather Event (SWE), it indicates more severe weather conditions are being forecasted that will delay full servicing of roads and sidewalks and additional time is needed to achieve normal winter service levels on roads, bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks.
This can include any or all of the following:
SWE's are posted on the Significant Weather Event declaration page.
When an SWE is active, the public is encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel (by vehicle, by bike, or on-foot). If travel is necessary, please allow additional time and take extra caution as roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails may continue to be a challenge due to winter conditions and may continue for an extended period of time.
SWE’s are different from a Snow Event. A Snow Event signifies the start of an on-street parking ban to help snow plows clear roadways more quickly and safely.
SWE’s are declared as per Regulation 239/02 of the Municipal Act 2001.
Does the declaration of an SWE mean the City is not clearing roads/sidewalks?
During an SWE, all available City resources are deployed as normal, however the declaration recognizes that the significance of the weather event may not allow crews to move through the City as quickly as they would under normal winter conditions.
It’s important to note that the SWE declaration does not mean a reduced level of service or road closure.
How does an SWE differ from a Snow Event?
An SWE signifies that due to the current or forecasted weather conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on City roads and that it may take longer than usual to bring the condition of the roads back to a state of repair.
The City will notify the public when an SWE is both declared and is ended. This is different from a Snow Event which automatically ends 24 hours after it is declared, unless it is extended or cancelled.
During a Snow Event an on-street parking ban is in place, meaning no vehicle should be parked on any city street at any time during either event. A Snow Event may be declared along with an SWE depending on the weather.
Is on-street parking allowed during an SWE?
This depends on the type of weather being experienced. If an SWE is declared because of heavy snow fall, the City will also declare a Snow Event which means a parking ban is in effect.
This is so road crews can safely and efficiently clear roadways. Please do not park or place garbage or other items on the road to provide more room for our plows.
Can more than one SWE be declared at the same time?
Yes, more than one SWE may be in effect at the same time.
For example, if Environment Canada issues a warning about an incoming storm that may produce 25 cm of snow and/or 25 mm of ice build-up from freezing rain, the City may declare an SWE for the expected snow and another SWE for the expected freezing rain. The SWE for the snow can be ended if the storm produces freezing rain or the SWE for the freezing rain can be ended if only snow falls.
Does the City declare when an SWE has ended?
The City will declare when an SWE has ended using the same communication channels used to declare the event. When the City declares the event ended, the standard timelines for winter maintenance activities will begin.
Should I travel during an SWE?
Residents are encouraged to limit travel and avoid unnecessary travel to allow our snow plow crews to do their jobs and clear roads safely and quickly.
Do I need to still have my sidewalk cleared within 36 hours of the snow ending following an SWE?
Yes, once the snowfall ends snow should be cleared from your sidewalk within 36 hours, but please avoid dumping it back on the road.
How does the City notify the public of a SWE?
The City of Cambridge will notify the public that a SWE has started and ended in the following ways:
