York Region responds to back‑to‑back winter storms, keeping roads safe

York Region’s roads crews worked around the clock throughout January, responding to two significant back-to-back winter storms to keep travellers safe and moving.  

These storms brought extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions, with temperatures ranging from ‑34.5 degrees to +4 degrees, more than 66 centimetres of snow and wind gusts reaching up to 35 kilometres/hour. Despite these challenges, crews continued to work 24/7 to maintain safe travel across the Region.

During the storms, 133 winter maintenance plows were deployed on Regional roads, supported by contracted partners. Crews focused on clearing snow and applying anti-icing materials. These applied materials are crucial in preventing ice from forming, improving traction and reducing the risk of collisions during snow and freezing conditions. Working closely with all nine local cities and towns, operations extended beyond the road and focused on priority areas such as sidewalks, bridges, multi-use paths and bike lanes.  

Since the storms began, crews:

• Completed more than 175,000 metres of snow removal from the boulevard
• Removed and hauled over 2,300 truckloads of snow
• Cleared snow from more than 160 kilometres of bike lanes
• Cleared 15 kilometres of multi‑use paths

That’s equal to:

• Almost the entire length of Yonge Street from Toronto to Lake Simcoe
• Enough snow to fill 11 Olympic sized swimming pools
• Roughly the distance from Newmarket to Kingston
• About the length of 140 football fields

This has been one of the most demanding winter seasons in recent years. Much of this work happens overnight, in extreme cold and challenging conditions. York Region continued to meet all its operational standards while prioritizing safety, even with province‑wide supply delays.

Thank you residents for your patience and cooperation during snow clearing operations. We’re proud to keep York Region’s roads safe, clear and moving all winter long.  

To learn more about York Region’s winter maintenance program, visit york.ca/Roads or watch our videos below.  

Winter Storm Preparation Video and Snowplowing in York Region