Waterloo Region is still digging out after a relentless winter storm swept through over the Family Day weekend. Snowplows continue their battle against towering drifts, while residents are struggling to keep sidewalks clear—only to watch fresh gusts undo their hard work.
Between Saturday and Monday, up to 26 centimetres of snow blanketed the region, adding to last week’s already hefty snowfall. “In many areas, we’re now looking at snow depths of around 51 centimetres,” said 570’s Meteorologist Jill Taylor. “Crews are working tirelessly, but the wind keeps pushing snow right back onto roads and sidewalks.”
Adding to the chaos, Environment Canada has issued a blowing snow advisory for Waterloo Region and Guelph. With strong winds persisting through Tuesday evening, near-zero visibility is making travel treacherous.
Nonstop Cleanup Efforts
Snow removal teams across the region are in full force Tuesday, focusing on high-priority areas.
In Cambridge, crews are concentrating on core areas, bridges, and sidewalks without boulevards, where large snowbanks are obstructing visibility. City staff caution drivers to take extra care when pulling out of driveways, as mounds of snow may block sightlines.
Adding to the trouble, potholes are beginning to form due to fluctuating temperatures. “Every available crew and piece of equipment is out working—both on snow removal and pothole repairs,” city staff stated.
In Waterloo, efforts are shifting from plowing to hauling snow away entirely. Transportation Services Director Bob Henderson noted that over the long weekend, crews didn’t get a break. “With these temperatures, the snow isn’t melting anytime soon. That means we have to physically remove it. It’s exhausting work, and if we get another round of snow, we’ll have to pause hauling operations just to clear the roads again.”
Meanwhile, in Kitchener, teams are prioritizing critical infrastructure, including LRT tracks, major roads, and bus routes. Snowbanks have significantly narrowed some streets, and crews anticipate it could take weeks to fully clear them—assuming no additional snowfall.
“Snow loading is a massive operation,” Kitchener city staff told CityNews Kitchener. “Each crew can involve up to 30 pieces of equipment, and on a good day, we’ll remove 400 dump truck loads of snow from city streets.”
Parking Bans and Road Safety
To allow for continued snow removal, snow event restrictions remain in effect in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. This means on-street parking is banned across all three cities, unless an exemption is granted.
In Kitchener, parking on the street during a snow event could result in an $80 fine.
As for the roads, Ontario Provincial Police are urging caution. Despite some back roads appearing clear, hidden ice patches remain a hazard.
“Slow down and drive carefully,” advised Sergeant Ed Sanchuk of the Ontario Provincial Police. “Your destination isn’t going anywhere—but getting home safely should be your priority.”
The good news? Meteorologist Jill Taylor isn’t expecting any major snowfall for Waterloo Region until Sunday—at the earliest. Until then, the cleanup continues
