Significant Weather Events

We declare a Significant Weather Event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a danger to anyone using roadways over which the Municipality of Kincardine has authority.

The declaration isn't a highway closure. It means you may need to use more caution when travelling on our roadways as it might take us longer than usual to maintain or improve road conditions.

One of the first places we'll post a declaration is on our Facebook page, so following us is a great idea.

How do we decide to declare a Significant Weather Event?

Staff make this decision using radar, forecast monitoring, and road conditions. Their decision considers things like: 

• Significant snow accumulation during a 24 hour period;
• Ice formation that occues with no warning from the weather forecast;
• High winds leading to large snow drifts; and/or
• Cold temperatures in which de-icing operations would not be effective.

When do we end a Significant Weather Event?

Staff continues to monitor conditions throughout the event. Once we are able to again meet our winter maintenance standards, we will declare the Significant Weather Event to have ended.

Where does the authority to declare a Significant Weather Event come from?

As per Regulation 239/02 of the Municipal Act 2001, an Ontario municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard is approaching or occurring and has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways over which they have authority.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the municipality declares the significant weather event has ended.