City declares significant weather event with heavy snow expected

With a snow squall warning in place from Environment Canada, the City of Sault Ste. Marie has declared a significant weather event as a result.

Snowfall as part of the warning could reach between 15 and 30 cm by Sunday afternoon with visibility reduced to near zero in some areas due to heavy and blowing snow.

"Public Works crews will work diligently during the event, but it may take longer than normal to ensure public safety and that the roadways, sidewalks, and transit bus stops meet normal maintenance standards," a release from the City said. "Public Works will continue to monitor the weather and patrol the roadways and deploy all available crews to address any snow and ice accumulation."

During the declared weather event, City-maintained streets and sidewalks are to be considered to be in a "state of repair" until further notice.

While normal winter-month parking bylaws remain in effect in which parking is not permitted on City streets between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., motorists are also asked not to park on the roads during the day to aid snow removal.

The current snow squall warning includes Sault Ste. Marie and St.Joseph Island.

Snow squall warnings have also been issued for areas north of the city.

Areas including Wawa and Pukaskwa Park could see between 15 and 25 cm of snow between now and through this afternoon while the Blind River and Thessalon area could see near 15 cm of snow by tonight.