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3:15 p.m.: Winter driving conditions persist throughout Nanaimo. Roads are snow covered with icy portions, especially on secondary and residential roads. Continue to drive with due care and caution.

City crews remain focused on keeping emergency and priority routes clear and will only move onto to secondary and residential once the snow subsides. Weather forecasts are predicting a large amount of snow through Thursday. If possible, please avoid travel. Be prepared for the storm and possible power outages. Check out BC Hydro for tips on preparing for winter storms and outages. 

Please help pedestrians travel through our community safely. Property owners and tenants (residential and businesses) are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their property. The City clears sidewalks in front of City facilities, on bridges, the Waterfront Walkway and E & N Trail. 

Garbage/Recycling Collection 

Garbage/Recycling collection has been cancelled for Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Once we get through the storm, we can better assess how the City will accommodate for missed collections. Periodic updates will be posted on the City of Nanaimo website and on our social media platforms. Download the free Nanaimo Recycles app for up to date information on curbside collection. Find links to the app on the Garbage and Recycling Calendar page on the City website. 

Warming centre open

A warming centre has opened today, January 14 from 12-4 p.m. at the 7-10 Club (285 Prideaux Street). The warming centre will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 15, 16 and 17. The City of Nanaimo thanks our partners at the 7-10 Club and the Salvation Army for their help with this short-term initiative.

Parks, Recreation and Culture

Registered programs and drop-in sessions are running; however, there have been some cancellations based on instructor availability. We are doing our best to contact those individuals registered in cancelled programs.

Parks, Recreation and Culture recreation facilities will remain open this afternoon and evening for scheduled public sessions, programs & rentals. There may be some adjustment of services at our facilities based on staffing levels. If conditions continue to worsen, facilities may close with short notice.

Please contact our switchboard if you have any inquiries regarding your programs or rentals: 250-756-5200. 

Stay up to date with conditions on the City's website, Twitter feed (@cityofnanaimo) and Facebook page. For up-to-date information on public transit, follow @RDN_Transit on Twitter. Please also listen to our local radio stations the Wave 102.3 or Wolf 106.9. 

Visit our Snow and Ice Control page for information on the City's response to snow and what residents and commuters can do to stay safe. 

9:30 a.m.: The City is advising commuters that winter driving conditions continue on all routes in Nanaimo. Roads are snow covered and have icy areas. Please take extra caution and attention when approaching stop signs and traffic lights; give yourself extra time to stop.  Find some winter driving tips on the City's Snow and Ice Control brochure.

After focusing on secondary routes and residential areas overnight, City crews have returned to clearing and salting emergency and priority routes. As long as it is snowing, crews will be focused on clearing priority 1 and 2 routes, which means it could take upwards of 96 hours for crews to start clearing residential areas (priority 3 routes). If at all possible, please avoid travelling today.

Please help pedestrians travel through our community safely. Property owners and tenants (residential and businesses) are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their property. The City clears sidewalks in front of City facilities, on bridges, the Waterfront Walkway and E & N Trail. 

Stay up to date with conditions on the City's website, Twitter feed (@cityofnanaimo) and Facebook page. For up-to-date information on public transit, follow @RDN_Transit on Twitter.

Visit our Snow and Ice Control page for information on the City's response to snow and what residents and commuters can do to stay safe. 

Garbage/Recycling Collection 

Garbage/Recycling collection has been cancelled for today. If possible, please bring your bins in to allow room for snowplows. Download the free Nanaimo Recycles app for up to date information on curbside collection. Find links to the app on the Garbage and Recycling Calendar page on the City website. 

In City Parks

Crews continue to clear and salt walkways into City buildings, downtown sidewalks with City-owned properties (including Maffeo Sutton Park) and the E&N Trail as first priorities and as needed at this point. They also continue to clear additional sidewalks around City-owned facilities and parks - especially those areas in front of parkland where key walking routes to school are located. Park users are advised to use caution on trails and boardwalks in City parks.