District of Muskoka Declares Significant Weather Event for District Roads

December 23, 2022 (Muskoka, ON) – Significant volumes of snow accumulation and chances of flash freezes and freezing rain have triggered a Significant Weather Event to be issued by the District of Muskoka for all District roads.

The Significant Weather Event was declared this evening, December 23, 2022 for areas throughout Muskoka – officials will advise when the Significant Weather Event has been lifted.

What is a Significant Weather Event?

A Significant Weather Event (SWE) is defined as an “approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways within a municipality.” This means, when a Significant Weather Event has been declared, please stay off the roads, and only travel if absolutely necessary.

Hazardous weather conditions make it dangerous to drive and walk outside. When this happens, a municipality can declare a Significant Weather Event on the roads it maintains.

Significant Weather Events are declared to keep our community safe, and warn them of impending or current conditions. When declaring, the following is considered:

the amount of snow accumulation during a 24-hour period;
ice formation that wasn’t predicted;
high winds leading to blowing snow and snow drifts;
extreme cold temperatures when de-icing won’t be as effective.

What does declaring a Significant Weather Event mean?

There are timelines required, set by the District and Ministry of Transportation, on how swiftly municipalities clear roadways and sidewalks during the winter. When a Significant Weather Event is declared, this means that the forecasted weather will be more difficult to keep up with – and may affect our response timelines to maintain roads like you’re used to.

When a Significant Weather Event is in effect, District service levels do not change, but winter clearing activities may take longer to complete. Crews will continue, as normal, to work on clearing roadways – but due to conditions, will take longer to complete all routes, and keep up with the storm.

The District and our partners work closely together to monitor forecasts, road and weather conditions 24 hours a day. Weather conditions can vary in each of our communities across Muskoka – and change rapidly.

A Significant Weather Event may be declared for only portions of the District, based on the forecast and anticipated conditions. When a Significant Weather Event is declared – it generally applies to all District roads – and can affect portions of our roads and partner municipalities. Stay updated and stay safe.

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