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Winter Driving Conditions

• Winter Highway Driving and Road Conditions Report
• About the Conditions Report
• About Updates to the Report
• Telephone Numbers
• The Weather Network
• Drive To Road Conditions - Reduce Your Speed
• Studded Tire Regulations
• Make Informed Travel Decisions
• Snow Clearing Hours of Operation
• Know Before You Go!
• Additional Information

Winter Highway Driving and Road Conditions Report

Updated: Monday, February 08, 2010 09:14 PM Updated 7am-10pm, 7 Days a Week as Reports are Received

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About the Conditions Report

The Highway Driving and Road Conditions Report covers the major arteries in all regions of the province during the winter. It provides information on both road surface and driver visibility conditions as reported to our dispatch office by our maintenance supervisors.

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About Updates to the Report

The report is updated seven days a week. During good and fair weather conditions, there are two regularly scheduled updates to the report; early morning at approximately 7:00 a.m. and early afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m. Follow-up reports will be issued as necessary.

More frequent updates will occur anytime during the day between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. approximately, when information is reported from our maintenance supervisors of a change in weather and/or driving conditions.

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Telephone Numbers

The following numbers are available to speak directly to staff at our dispatch office. Long distance charges may apply if applicable.

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The Weather Network

The Weather Network cable television channel makes road reports available to viewers. View their Programming Schedule or check your local TV listings for further information.

• The Weather Network's email weather service .

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Drive To Road Conditions - Reduce Your Speed

While the road reports are a good general guide to road conditions province-wide, winter driving conditions can change very quickly, especially when dealing with drifting or blowing snow. Drivers should ensure they use extra caution and vigilance on all roads throughout the winter months. Adjust your speed to winter conditions and prepare to drive in winter's worst.

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Studded Tire Regulations

For information on studded tires, view the Studded Tire Regulations or forward questions to the Motor Registration Division of the Department of Government Services.

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Make Informed Travel Decisions

Changing weather patterns and fluctuations in temperature at this time of year can lead to periods of snow covered or icy conditions on our roads.

The men and women of the Department of Transportation and Works will do their best to make the Province's roads safer in winter, but safe winter driving is everyone's responsibility. You must do your part too. It is extremely important that motorists know what conditions are, and make informed travel decisions. Check the conditions before you drive and then if you decide to travel, drive in accordance with weather and road conditions. Snow means slow. You should also keep in mind the department's snow clearing hours of operation.

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Snow Clearing Hours of Operation

Throughout the winter, maintenance supervisors assess road conditions night and day. Maintenance crews report for work between 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., five days a week, depending on the area of the province. They work until mid-afternoon, unless weather conditions dictate they work additional hours. During storms, plowing continues until 9:30 p.m. or longer until all roads are open to traffic, if the storm is ending. If the snow is continuing, crews normally go home around 10:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. the next day. Between 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m./ 5:00 a.m. crews are generally not in operation, except in emergency situations. During this period, vehicular traffic flow is typically very low.

• Winter Maintenance Operations Policy

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Know Before You Go!

Our Live Highway Camera img continue to provide a source of information on current driving conditions and are available for viewing year round.

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Additional Information

• Winter Driving Tips - Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Severe Winter Weather Awareness - Environment Canada

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