Unseasonably warm weather drove a rapid melt and freeze on Jan. 28 and 29. With the mercury climbing above 3C during the day on Jan. 29 and a light rain falling, snow banks began to melt and flow across streets and sidewalks. Amid the melt, City of Whitehorse storm drains became overwhelmed, leading to pools of water on some streets by late afternoon on Jan. 29.
Some information on what the city was doing to cope with the unseasonable melt was presented at the Jan. 29 city council meeting. Responding to a question from councillors, Whitehorse’s director of infrastructure and operations Tracy Allen said city crews had been working overtime on the matter with all available operators called in to clear snow from problem drainage areas. She said work was also ongoing, vacuum trucking out areas where water had accumulated and steaming storm drain lines to restore drainage.
“The crews are working overtime to try and clean up as many of the hotspots as we can, and they will continue to do so. I would like to ask people for their patience and to remove all obstacles from the road so we can get in and clear roads in a timely and efficient manner,” Allen said.
“I would also ask that residents drive and walk with caution over the next few days as the temperatures are expected to plummet again and will create incredibly slippery and icy conditions.”
The Environment Canada weather forecast from Jan. 31 onwards is calling for temperatures well below freezing and snow.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com