This, from Al Schumacher, Streets Superintendent:
The record has been broken. We have now lived through the snowiest winter season on record with more snow yet to fall today and again on Thursday.
It has been too cold to salt during the overnight hours. We are planning on salting as soon as possible this morning, probably starting at about 9:00 am. It still will be only about 10 degrees at that time but the pavement temperature should be above 15 by then.
So far no plans to plow all residential streets because we have only received slightly more than 1″ of dry, fluffy snow that traffic will beat down quite easily. We are expecting between 2″ – 3″ of total accumulation.
We would like not to plow all residential streets today based on the following factors. One is that this is a dry fluffy snow which is relatively easy to get around in with very little moisture content. Two is the fact that we are expecting more snow on Thursday and if possible, we will wait until then to clean it all up. Three, sunshine is supposed to return on Wednesday which will get some melting on side streets.
All of this is subject to change of course based on additional information.
To be certain, our crews are fatigued but they are hanging in there. They deserve a great deal of praise. Many thanks need to go out to the staffs of Forestry, Engineering, Parks Construction, Parks, Mall Concourse and of course Fleet Services for helping us get through this winter.
Here’s a 10:30 update from Mr. Schumacher, Streets Superintendent turned weatherman:
Forecasts do change.
It is not supposed to stop snowing now until close to 2:00 pm. This very light snow is accumulating. We have close to 2.5″ on the ground and should definitely reach the 3″ amount.
We will be plowing all residential streets starting at 3:00 pm. Because it is such a light and fluffy snow, we will not declare a snow emergency for this storm.
I expect most if not all streets to be plowed by midnight tonight but for sure by early morning on Wednesday.
Salt is not working because of the snow continuing to fall so we have decided against wasting it. We will continue to plow and use sand on our main arterials until the snow stops and we start the residential plowing at 3:00 pm.
p.s. Sorry, I bumped this post below the other two posts today, since I think people are sick of hearing about snow. I don’t like doing that, but I felt it was appropriate. i.e. I got the email at 7:30, but I changed the post time to 6:30 so the other two posts appeared first.
