Edmonton is digging out from a relentless series of winter storms, with snowfall totals this season already far surpassing those from the same period last year. City officials confirm that the first phase of parking restrictions is scheduled to end, but a second, more widespread ban is on the horizon as crews battle the significant accumulation.
Snowfall Totals Soar Past Previous Year
The volume of snow that has fallen on Edmonton since November 1 now stands at 72 centimetres. This marks a dramatic increase compared to the 47 centimetres recorded by the same date in 2024. Valerie Dacyk, general supervisor of Parks and Roads Services, provided the update, noting the city's operations have been in constant motion for approximately three weeks to manage the back-to-back snowfalls that hit over the Christmas holiday.
The weather has been equally volatile, with temperatures plunging below -30°C before swinging up to above 5°C within days, complicating cleanup efforts. The heavy and persistent snow has left its mark across the city in the form of ubiquitous windrows—the piles of plowed snow lining streets and blocking driveways.
City's 24/7 Cleanup Strategy and Priorities
Currently, a fleet of between 80 and 100 trucks is operating around the clock to clear Edmonton's vast network of 12,000 kilometres of roadways. The city's strategy follows a clear priority list:
- Major traffic corridors and freeways
- Bus routes and the downtown business district
- The priority bike loop
- Areas hosting New Year's Eve festivities
- Business improvement areas for centre-stack snow removal
Dacyk explained that crews are first addressing windrows that impact travel lanes, sightlines in school zones, and vulnerable areas. The goal is to clear major routes within one day of a snowfall ending, though the clock doesn't start until the snow stops, despite plows working during active storms.
What's Next: The Imminent Phase 2 Parking Ban
With the Phase 1 parking ban set to expire, residents must prepare for the next step. Once primary corridors are clear, the focus will shift to neighbourhood residential streets and collector roads. This shift will trigger a Phase 2 parking ban, which prohibits parking on designated residential and arterial roads to allow plows to work effectively.
Dacyk urged Edmontonians to sign up for the city's notification service to receive alerts for when a ban is active in their neighbourhood and to use the online tracker to follow plow progress. She cautioned that due to the exceptional snow volume, it will still take considerable time to reach all residential areas. Residents are advised to plan for ongoing disruptions and to move vehicles off designated snow routes when bans are announced to avoid tickets and towing, ensuring crews can complete their work efficiently.
