Declaration of Significant Weather Event - February 12, 2025

Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning with the following weather hazard(s) for our region on February 12, 2025, at 10:47 a.m.

• Snow associated with a major winter storm is expected to arrive this evening and continue into Thursday afternoon.
• Total snowfall amounts to 30 to 40 cm. Peak snowfall rates possibly exceeding 5 cm per hour
• Poor visibility in heavy snow.
• Snow, at times heavy, will begin this evening. Total amounts of up to 40 cm are likely. Moderate winds will produce local blowing snow, especially in the Ottawa River Valley.
• This winter storm will impact the Thursday morning commute. Snow will gradually taper off on Thursday afternoon.
• Avoid travel if possible. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Road closures are possible.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

Public Works has reviewed the alert and as of February 12, 2025, at 4:00 pm. the Township of Algonquin Highlands is declaring a Significant Weather Event in accordance with By-Law 2018-118 and Provincial Standards.

A “weather hazard” means the weather hazards determined by Environment Canada as meeting the criteria for the issuance of an alert under its Public Weather Alerting Program. O. Reg. 239/02, s. 1 (1); O. Reg. 23/10, s. 1 (1); O. Reg. 47/13, s. 1; O. Reg. 366/18, s. 1 (1, 2)

A DSW allows the Municipality to let a weather hazard pass without having an impact on the standard time set by the minimum maintenance standards for snow accumulation of roadways/bicycle lanes, icy roadways, snow accumulation on sidewalks, ice formation on sidewalks and icy sidewalks.

Municipal workforces will continue to provide maintenance operations, but for safety considerations, operations may need to be temporarily suspended. 

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) will be issued for the Stanhope Municipal Airport for no winter maintenance being performed. Fueling for emergency services will continue. 

This significant weather event may impact all Algonquin Highlands waste disposal services. Please visit the Townships website for notifications regarding waste disposal site closures or delays. 

This significant weather event may impact all Algonquin Highlands Building Facilities. Please visit the Township's website for notifications regarding closures or delays. 

Users of the roads and sidewalks within the Municipality are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to use caution if doing so. Please remain a safe distance back from maintenance equipment and to drive according to conditions.

Further Notice will be provided when the event has ended.

Staff Contact: 

Adam Thorn
Public Works Manager
Township of Algonquin Highlands
1123 North Shore Road
Algonquin Highlands, ON K0M 1J2
705-489-2379