A man walking through the street at night

City prepares for freezing temperatures and chance of snow

January 31 2025 –

With freezing temperatures and snowfall in the forecast for Vancouver this weekend, the City is ready to help keep residents safe when moving around the city. For those sheltering outside, the City and its partners have activated options for people to come indoors.  

Streets and sidewalks

Our winter maintenance plan includes street brining, salting and plowing with a priority focus on major roads, bus routes, bridges within City limits, and main streets adjacent to major hospitals. View the map of snow and ice treatment locations.

Four major pedestrian pathways (Arbutus Greenway, Central Valley Greenway, False Creek Seawall, and Coal Harbour Seawall) and the 16 most-used bike routes are also included in the plan. Crews prioritize treatment of pedestrian pathways before adjacent bikeways. Residential side streets are not included as part of the City’s treatment plans, with the exception of priority hills and access routes to hospitals and schools. 

During freezing temperatures, Vancouver property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks that surround their property by 10 am each day.

What residents can do:

Be on alert for winter weather forecasts, and make sure you are prepared:

  • Take care when travelling around the city.
  • Have snow shovels and de-icing materials available and ready to remove snow and/or ice from sidewalks adjacent to private property by 10 am the morning after a snow fall. Failure to remove snow and ice within a 24-hour period could result in a fine of $250 to $750 per offence. 
  • Help others in need. Snow and ice on the sidewalk can be a barrier for many people, particularly seniors and people with mobility challenges. Consider becoming a snow angel and help others clear their sidewalks when it snows.   
  • Be safe, be seen. In darker, wet weather, visibility is limited and changing conditions can make it harder to travel. Dress for the weather, including wearing proper footwear, lights and reflective gear. Be sure to make eye contact with other road users.  Review winter safety tips at vancouver.ca/wintersafety.
  • Avoid over salting. Excess road salt damages vehicles and infrastructure, harms our pets and plants, and degrades waterways. Learn about sustainable salt use.  
  • Keep catch basins clear of snow and ice to prevent flooding. If your local catch basin is blocked, break up and remove any built-up ice. If this does not help, report the blockage to 3-1-1 or via Van311. Learn more about adopting your own catch basin.    
  • Check and restock your emergency supplies, including emergency supplies in your vehicle.
  • Remember to check on family, friends and neighbours, especially those who may be more vulnerable during winter.

Those planning to attend the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade this weekend are encouraged to dress warmly, drive for the conditions and allow extra travel time.   

Winter Shelters Strategy

As temperatures begin to dip, the City and its partners are once again activating a variety of additional indoor spaces to ensure that people sleeping outside can come into warm, safe spaces. Those looking to keep warm prior to warming centres and extreme weather response shelters opening can also visit public libraries and public community centres during daytime operating hours.

In partnership with BC Housing, the following indoor spaces form the winter shelters strategy:

  • For the 2024-2025 winter season, there are four temporary winter shelters that will be open every night until March 2025, providing an additional 97 nightly winter shelter beds in addition to the total of over 1,400 shelter spaces in Vancouver. The City continues working with BC Housing to identify opportunities to add additional shelter capacity during the cold season.   

Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelters

There are approximately 174 EWR beds that provide additional shelter spaces. EWR sites are provincially funded and delivered through partnerships with community-based service providers, and faith-based organizations to provide additional temporary emergency shelter spaces during periods of extreme winter weather.

These spaces are activated based on criteria including:   

  • Temperatures near zero with rainfall that makes it difficult or impossible for those experiencing homelessness to remain dry   
  • Sleet or freezing rain or snow accumulation   
  • Sustained high winds   
  • Temperatures at or below 0°C, or "feels like" 0°C with wind chill  
  • Rainfall of at least 50 mm in a 24-hour period

Alerts are shared with service providers, outreach teams, TransLink and other partners who can inform people who are experiencing homelessness that there are places to come inside and get warm.

The City of Vancouver funds the activation of additional Warming Centres during periods of extreme cold.   

Warming Centres

  • The City of Vancouver also activates Warming Centres, which operate overnight, as a life-saving measure when the temperature reaches -4 degrees Celsius or below (or it feels like -4°C or below).  
  • Warming Centres are open to all, and depending on the site, visitors may bring their pets, bikes and carts with them. Hot drinks, snacks and washrooms are available.   

Where to find more information