Declaration of Significant Weather Event - March 28

In response to a major freezing rain event in the area, The County of Haliburton, the Township of Minden Hills, the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the Municipality of Highlands East, and the Municipality of Dysart et al have declared a Significant Weather Event at 3:00 p.m. local time that will impact travel and services throughout the County. This declaration is made pursuant to Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

The Dorset Recreation Centre will close at 5 p.m. today - Friday, March 28. Please note that all Township of Algonquin Highlands facilities and waste disposal sites will be CLOSED on Saturday, March 29 as a result of the anticipated extreme weather conditions.  Any changes to operations for Sunday, March 30 will be determined Saturday afternoon following an evaluation of conditions and forecasts. 

Please note the Frost Centre Ski Trails will be closed Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. 

Environment Canada has issued a major ice storm warning for this weekend with the following weather hazard(s) for our region on March, 28, 2025, 3:00 p.m.

• Prolonged period of freezing rain
• Significant ice accretion. General ice accretion amount of 10 to 20mm, with amounts in excess of 25 mm possible.
• Widespread power outages
• Icy and slippery conditions.
• The heaviest freezing rain is expected overnight into Saturday morning.
• The area will receive significant freezing rain over the upcoming weekend.
• Precipitation may begin as now or rain before changing over to freezing rain this evening.
• Freezing rain may become lighter for a brief period of time for some areas on Saturday.
• Freezing rain will change to rain on Sunday as temperatures rise above the freezing mark
• Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break.
• Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improved.
• Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

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 March 28, 2025, at 3:00 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.

Please continue to monitor the Algonquin Highlands website for notices and updates.

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. Please visit the Townships website for contact information. 

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 drive according to conditions.

Further notice will be provided when the event has ended.