The City of Oshawa managed significant winter cleanup efforts earlier this year following a severe weather event that prompted the municipality to declare a Significant Weather Event. The designation followed record snowfall from the January 2026 North American winter storm, which impacted the region between January 23 and January 27, 2026.
Environment Canada issued an orange-level winter storm warning for the Greater Toronto Area on January 24, forecasting between 20 and 40 centimetres of snow. During this period, the storm system caused widespread disruption across North America.
In response to the heavy accumulation, municipal crews worked around the clock to clear local roads and sidewalks. The city operates under a priority system to manage snow removal, ensuring arterial roads are cleared within six hours, residential streets within 16 hours, and city-maintained sidewalks by midnight on the first day following the end of a storm.
Residents are reminded that under the Winter Access By-law, property owners in Oshawa are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties by midnight the day after a snowfall ends. For concerns regarding unplowed areas or other maintenance issues, residents can contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.
