Environment Canada recognizes the start of winter on Dec. 1, and city officials in Penticton say snow-clearing crews are ready for whatever comes their way.
A fleet of machinery and the staff of the city’s public works team are now prepared for the season’s first storm, a press release reads.
According to the city, clearing snow in Penticton begins with identifying priority routes, including main roads, steep hills, emergency routes, bus routes, school zones, and collector and industrial roads.
Along with heavy machinery, the city has a team of 23 crew members tasked with shovelling 21 stairways, 14 bridge pedestrian walkways, 30 parking lots, 44 transit stops and 26 kilometres of sidewalks and walkways.
“The snow plows are tuned up, crews organized and shovels at the ready,” the city’s press release reads.
There is a 30 per cent chance of light snow in Penticton on Thursday, Nov. 30, according to Environment Canada.
Snow is also in the city’s forecast for Dec. 2 and 3, with daytime temperatures expected to range from 1 C to -3 C.
In anticipation of a potential winter storm, the city says crews will begin spraying an “anti-ice, salt/water solution on high-priority streets and parking lots to provide extra traction on the roads.”
Contrary to this year, it was in early November 2022 when a full fleet of snow crews worked on Penticton’s roads.
The city had experienced significant snowfall and below-zero temperatures within the month’s first week last year.
READ MORE: Okanagan-Shuswap sees mild autumn 1 year after November cold snaps
Representatives from the city on Wednesday, Nov. 29, posted a list of winter reminders on social media:
• In accordance with the Good Neighbour Bylaw, do your best to clear all sidewalks adjacent to your property before 11 a.m. the following day after the snow event
• Pile the snow on the left side of the driveway, so when plows go by, they won’t drag the shovelled piles back into your driveway entrance
• Clear any catch basins on your street to allow melting water to flow
• Help your neighbours, if able
