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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: 24KT on November 29, 2008, 03:32:44 AM
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City Unveils New Snow Fighter As Storm
Could Bring First Big Dump To GTA Next Week
Thursday November 27, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
(http://www.citynews.ca/images/2008-02/feb1508-snowsweepcarfive.jpg)
On a day when winter stops being winter - at least temporarily - comes word that Toronto could finally be hit with its first really big snowstorm of the season. And if it arrives, it will be just in time for your trip back to work on Monday.
The GTA is getting a bit of a break Thursday, as temperatures soar to 5C - the norm for this time of year and a lot better than what we've had over the past few weeks. While we could see the odd flurry and the wind may make it feel a bit colder, we're in for a much calmer day, although only a few peaks of sunshine.
We could get some flurries on Friday but they're not likely to be very significant. We could even see some sunshine on Saturday with highs staying above freezing both days.
And then comes Sunday, when things could get interesting. Forecasters aren't able to say yet just what will happen as a disturbance slowly heads this way and gathers moisture as it moves.
But it has the possibility of bringing a major dumping of snow to the GTA right in time for your Monday morning commute. If it hits in the right way, Toronto could get 10-20cm, with the storm starting late in the day Sunday.
Some of it may come as rain or mixed precipitation, and that could alter the amount we get.
"This could be a serious weather maker," agrees CityNews meteorologist Michael Kuss. "It depends on whether we see the temperature for the development of snow or getting rain and part of the GTA could get a pretty good dose of snowfall late Sunday, mainly into Monday."
The hope is that it stays mostly rain and that temperatures remain on the plus side.
But if it doesn't the City insists it's ready.
Last year, when we had snowstorm after snowstorm, many Toronto residents were angry that their side streets weren't cleaned off in a timely manner - if at all - as overwhelmed crews worked day and night to get rid of it all.
Part of the problem was parked cars and streets too narrow for the equipment to get through.
But that won't happen this year. The City has unveiled a new "secret weapon" in the war on winter: they're 25 special retractable snowplow blades (like the one pictured below), made to adjust to any street size, making it possible for plows to go where no equipment has gone before.
(http://www.citynews.ca/images/2008-11/nov2708-snowplowbig.jpg)
As a bonus, it also lifts its loads to the side, so it won't leave one of those huge piles in front of your driveway.
"We'll spend over $70 million of taxpayers' money this year in the coming winter to make sure you get to work as soon as possible after a storm and make sure you get there safely," promises Coun. Glenn De Baeremaeker, chair of the City's Public Works and Infrastructure. "I can assure City of Toronto residents we'll not need to call in the army. We are the army!"
But there will also be another army out and about this season - bylaw officers trying to ensure you don't push snow off your walk or driveway and onto the street. Doing that is against the law and will cost you $360 if you're caught.
Leave the snow and you're also in trouble. Last year, 450 Toronto residents paid $125 for failing to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes.
So will they need those new blades and will you need your shovel on Monday? Stay tuned to CityNews into the weekend for the latest on this developing storm and what it might mean for your drive into work early next week.
In the meantime, enjoy your brief break from winter. No matter what happens Monday, the long range forecast indicates things will get better, with more moderate temperatures in the offing next week.
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Can you imagine that? ...a snowplough with retractable blades, that lifts the load to the side and doesn't pile up all the snow into your driveway? I could just kiss the person who invented that bad boy! :-*
I saw a video of that thing in action... cities across the country will be clamouring to get their hands on those.