The snow finally stopped falling by Tuesday morning as City of Nanaimo crews continued working on clearing all the main roadways across the community. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

snow day

Break in snowfall allows Nanaimo City road crews to move from priority to secondary routes

Feb 4, 2025 | 10:49 AM

NANAIMO — Snow clearing crews in the City of Nanaimo have been working non-stop since the weekend in anticipation of a big dump of snow, and Mother Nature didn’t disappoint.

According to Environment Canada, as of 7:34 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 23 centimetres of snow had fallen at the Nanaimo airport since Monday, over 10 centimetres more than the second-highest total from north Courtenay, which saw 13 centimetres.

City of Nanaimo manager of roads and traffic services David Thompson said ploughs were able to move from priority to secondary routes overnight Monday, with the snowfall ending Tuesday morning.

“Our first priority is to keep our transit routes, our emergency routes, and major transportation corridors clear, and we’ll stay on those until the snow accumulation stops. Once that occurs then we move into our priority two routes which is neighbourhood collectors and access roads that allow us to get into the residential areas. And then finally our priority three routes are cul-de-sacs and dead-ends and short local roads.”

Thompson said based on what they’ve seen, between 30-40 centimetres of snow has fallen on Nanaimo since Monday, and were able to move from the first priority routes to the secondary ones by early Tuesday morning.

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He said the City has used this ploughing system for more than 20 years, and it’s served well to keep “the business of the City” going during the infrequent Vancouver Island snowstorm.

While the forecast is still calling for a chance of snow overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, Thompson said temperatures below zero actually makes the snow removal process a bit easier.

“When it’s warmer and vehicles are travelling over roads we haven’t cleared you end up with packed snow underneath which can very quickly turn to ice and be very slippery. The salt is much more effective at cooler temperatures, down to -6 or -8, and really helps break up the snow and get it off the road and get down to bare pavement as quickly as possible.”

Regardless of the forecast, winter driving conditions will continue on the mid-Island for the next few days, and Thompson said it’s important for drivers to adapt so everyone can get to where they need to go.

“Travellers can expect packed snow, they can expect the road width to be fairly narrow until we can get in there and put a little more time into the roads, and there will probably be piles of snow at the intersections, so certainly if you are out and about be careful and aware of the conditions and be prepared.”

City of Nanaimo snow ploughs started clearing secondary priority routes overnight Monday, as the snow finally stopped falling by Tuesday morning. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Cancellations and Closures
The Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools announced their schools were closed on Tuesday, which was already a ProD for students.

Vancouver Island University also announced the closure of their Nanaimo, Cowichan, and tiwšɛmawtxʷ campuses today due to the severe weather. An update will be provided here on their website regarding Wednesday’s classes by 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 5.

The City of Nanaimo posted on its social media pages Tuesday morning that it aims to open its recreational facilities by 8 a.m. once the snow is cleared.

All registered programs are cancelled until noon, along with all drop-in sessions at Oliver Woods Community Centre and arena programs.

Garbage and recycling collection was also cancelled again today within the City of Nanaimo. If you’re missing your weekly pickup, the City says you can leave extra, securely tied bagged garbage out one metre away from your carts on your next collection day.

If you’re missing a recycling day, items can be placed loosely in an open container one metre away from your blue carts.

More information can be found here on their website.

Canada Post issued a red delivery service alert for Nanaimo on Monday, and Duncan has since been upgraded from a yellow alert to red.

Red alert means delivery will be suspended, while a yellow alert means they will try to deliver the mail but delays should be expected.

Canada Post updates can be found here on their website.

Shelter information
Emergency cold weather shelters in Nanaimo are open and welcoming anyone who needs a break from the cold. A detailed list of resources is available here on the City of Nanaimo’s website.

There are also a number of shelter spaces and warming centres opened in the Oceanside area, with more information available here at the Society of Organized Service’s Facebook page.

Workers at the Nanaimo Airport moving snow early Tuesday morning. (Patti Juengst/Submitted)

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