Winter Weather

Each winter, Norfolk County’s crews and fleet of snow-clearing equipment clear 4,200 km of roads as quickly and efficiently as possible.

4 winter weather tips

Significant weather events

Norfolk County may declare a significant weather event when the forecast or conditions meet a certain threshold.

What is a significant weather event?

According to the Ontario Municipal Act, a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger on roads maintained by Norfolk County.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives.

A significant weather event may be claimed when:

Significant snow accumulation is expected, usually 8 cm (about 3.15 inches) or more, over a 24-hour period or longer
Ice formation occurs without warning from the weather forecast
De-icing operations will not be effective
High winds cause blowing snow and large snow drifts

Declaring a significant weather event notifies residents that:

Due to the forecasted or current weather conditions, residents are urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary driving
Extra caution should be taken if travelling on County streets and sidewalks
The County will only deploy resources to address snow or ice accumulation if it is safe and practicable to do so
Street parking is not allowed, and cars parked on the street may be tagged and/or towed
It may take longer than usual to complete necessary winter maintenance activities and return roadways and sidewalks to a safe and usable condition

When a significant weather event is declared, Norfolk County will:

Update norfolkCounty.ca/news
Issue a media release to local media
Post on our Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts
Send an email to our news subscribers

Residents can also listen to Norfolk’s local radio stations, Oldies 99.7 or 98.9 myFM, for winter weather coverage.

When a significant snow event ends, regular winter maintenance timelines begin. Norfolk County will notify residents by:

Updating norfolkCounty.ca/news
Issuing a media release to local media
Posting on our Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts
Sending an email to our news subscribers

Road plowing

Minimum maintenance standard

As snow accumulates, Norfolk’s snowplows clear roads in a priority order based on the Province of Ontario’s Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

Class 2 and 3 roads (primary)
Class 4 roads (rural/concession)
Class 5 and 6 roads (subdivisions and low volume)

Snowplows will return to roads depending on weather conditions to clear them of snow.

Windrows

The piles of snow at the end of your driveway after your road has been plowed are called windrows. Property owners or occupants are responsible for clearing snow windrows. Norfolk County does not clear snow windrows from the ends of driveways.

Ice control: brine, salting and sanding

Before a winter storm, Norfolk County’s roads team may apply brine, a mixture of salt and water, to roadways to prevent ice from forming. This makes roads easier to plow and reduces the amount of salt used.

Salt is applied to roads above -10 degrees Celsius to help control snow and ice. When temperatures are below -10 degrees Celsius, salt is applied with an additive that helps make the salt more effective.

Sand is applied to increase traction during slippery conditions. Sand is used on local roads, rural roads, and during extremely low temperatures when salt is less effective.

Report damage from snow clearing

Residents may report damage to private property, including mailboxes and lawns, caused by a snowplow by contacting ServiceNorfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0, or completing a service request online.

Norfolk County does not replace or repair damaged property-owner-installed landscaping on Norfolk County’s road allowance. Residents are encouraged to contact ServiceNorfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0, for more information before repair work is done.

Sidewalks, trails, and pathways

Sidewalks

Norfolk County’s Snow and Ice Removal By-Law requires property owners or occupants to clear sidewalks beside their property of both snow and ice by noon following a snow event.

Failing to clear sidewalks can result in a charge under the By-Law. If a by-law officer determines a sidewalk has not been cleared of snow and ice, an order to do so within 24 hours will be issued. If still not done after that time, By-Law may hire a contractor to clear the sidewalk and will add the cost of that work to the property owner’s tax bill, which can be very expensive.

Residents can report a sidewalk that has not been cleared of snow or ice within the timeframe of the Snow and Ice Removal By-Law by using the By-Law complaint Form or calling 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK. The by-law team will investigate complaints.

Help with shoveling

The following local agencies may assist residents.

Senior Support Services Snow Buddies Program
Visit seniorsupport.ca or call 866-529-0849

Trails and pathways

Norfolk’s trails and pathways are not maintained during winter. Residents use it at their own risk and should be aware that trails may have a build-up of ice that could pose a risk to walk or ride on.

Winter parking

Removing parked vehicles from the street

Norfolk County’s Parking Bylaw requires parked vehicles to be moved off the road during and after snowfalls, winter storms, or when a significant weather event is declared to allow Norfolk’s snowplows and sanders to clear the entire road surface and apply salt or sand, as required.

Vehicles parked on roads when winter weather is expected may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense, regardless of actual snowfall volume. The fine is $75, and towing charges can cost several hundred dollars more.

Cold warnings

Environment and Climate Change Canada issues Winter Weather and Cold Alerts across Canada.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chills increase health risks, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter and clothing.

The Grand Erie Health Unit (GEHU) has a Cold Alert Response Plan when Environment Canada notifies us that our region is under a cold or extreme cold weather warning.

The threshold triggers for these alerts are:

A Cold Weather Alert will be issued when the Environment Canada notification indicates the temperature is expected to fall to/below minus 15°C without windchill.
An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30°C for at least two hours.

Extreme weather alerts will be communicated to the public through media releases, the GEPU website.

Local forecast and weather alerts

Check Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website for information on local forecasts and weather alerts, or download their mobile app, WeatherCAN, which provides weather alert notifications in your area and your saved locations.

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