City warns of slushy, icy streets and outlines plans for residential plowing

Five-day extended forecast for Central Ontario.

Barrie is addressing residents’ concerns about road conditions following recent heavy snow squalls that dumped significant amounts of snow across the city.

Craig Morton, senior manager of operations for roads and fleet, explained in an email to CTV News that main routes with higher traffic volumes are treated with salt to keep them clear and bare.

• Hourly and 7-day forecast on our CTVNewsBarrie.ca weather hub

“Our priority routes, which handle higher volumes of traffic, are treated with salt for de-icing and are expected to stay clear and bare,” Morton wrote. “However, in residential areas, we typically maintain a snow-packed condition using sand for traction.”

With a warm-up expected this week, snow on residential streets may become soft and slushy, which Morton noted can lead to rutted wheel tracks and icy patches, making driving more challenging.

“To prevent these difficult driving conditions, the City will be plowing residential streets during the warmer period if conditions are suitable, to remove ice and snow,” he added.

Last week’s weather system brought multi-day snow squalls, resulting in large windrows and several days of continuous shoveling and snow blowing for residents.

This week’s forecast calls for above zero temperatures, with daytime highs reaching 8C by Thursday under mostly cloudy skies, and maintaining that temp through Friday.