Snow and freezing rain are expected for this evening and tomorrow. The City plans for winter weather events months in advance and is prepared for the upcoming forecast. Roads have been pre-treated all day and there will be over a dozen trucks working around the clock tonight and tomorrow to help keep main roads safe.

The City’s snow response
A centralized control centre comprises staff and a fleet of specialized snow and ice removal equipment and experienced operators who are on deck to respond to snow events. They monitor the latest weather updates and data from road temperature sensors across Richmond to dispatch equipment and crews in anticipation of, and during weather events.

The City’s priority before and during winter weather events is to pre-treat and clear first priority routes (217 kilometres of road) so police, ambulance and fire trucks, as well as public transit and private vehicles can travel safely. To view existing priority snow routes, visit www.richmond.ca/weather. Crews re-focus on priority routes as necessary throughout the event.

If freezing rain occurs after it snows, it can rapidly turn into ice, making roads very slick even when treated with the right amount of salt and brine. Freezing rain is one of the most difficult winter weather conditions to manage.

Residents’ and businesses’ snow response
Even with a robust winter weather plans in place extreme winter weather and cold temperatures can be a safety risk for people, so the City is reminding residents and businesses to do the following:

1. Shovel the sidewalks. City Bylaw 5870 requires all properties to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties no later than 10:00am every day. Fines have increased from $70 to $125. Properties include:
   • Residential (single-family and multi-family) properties
   • Commercial and industrial properties
   • NEW THIS YEAR: properties that are undeveloped or under construction
     
     
2. To report properties that have not shoveled snow and ice:
   
   • Email bylawrequest@richmond.ca (Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 9:00pm) with the property address, date and time of your experience and details/photos. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer will be dispatched. (Due to request volume, officers may not be able to reply).
     
   • Call 604-276-4345 (Monday to Friday excluding holidays, 8:15am to 5:00pm) to speak directly with an associate.
     
     
3. Shovel snow onto lawns or into a parking stall/side of driveway, not the street. Try to leave a path in snow banks for pedestrians to pass safely. Placing snow onto the street is a hazard for vehicles and slows down the road clearing process. Keep accessible parking stalls clear of snow.
   
   
4. Help your neighbours. Snowfall can create challenges for many residents. If you can, be a good neighbour and lend a hand to others in need of snow removal assistance.
   
   
5. Check on friends and loved ones to make sure they are safe when the temperature drops.
   
   
6. Drive to the conditions. Ensure you have all-season/snow tires before driving in snow. Snow tires are no match for ice. Slow down and leave ample room between you and the vehicle in front. Follow local driving advisories. Remove all snow from your vehicle before driving.

Follow trusted news and weather channels for weather updates and road conditions.

For information on the City’s snow response, winter preparedness and personal safety tips, visit the Ice and Snow section at www.richmond.ca/weather.