Edmonton residents received another winter weather notice this holiday season as the city announced a major parking ban to tackle the aftermath of a historic snowfall.
City Implements Parking Ban for Snow Clearing
The City of Edmonton declared a Phase 1 parking ban to begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The decision comes as crews work around the clock to dig out from what has become an exceptionally snowy month.
"Crews have been working hard over the holidays keeping the roads clear and people moving; however, due to the volume of snow we have received over the last few days, a Phase 1 parking ban is necessary for clearing the accumulation and drifting of snow," said city spokesperson Val Dacyk in a news release.
Dacyk emphasized the need for clear routes, stating, "To facilitate the clearing by our plows and graders, it is imperative these routes remain unobstructed by parked vehicles." The city anticipates the ban will be in effect for three to five days.
Record-Breaking December Snowfall
The parking ban follows a series of significant snowfalls that have blanketed the city. According to data from weatherstats.ca, which uses Environment Canada figures, Edmonton International Airport recorded seven major snowfalls in the two weeks leading up to the announcement.
Notable accumulations included 10.2 cm on Christmas Eve and 9 cm on Boxing Day. Chris Nelson, who runs the Edmonton Weather Nerdery blog, noted that the airport had received 48.2 cm of snow as of Boxing Day, making it the snowiest December on record for that location. The typical December average is around 18 cm.
Rules, Fines, and How to Stay Informed
During the Phase 1 ban, parking is prohibited on:
- Arterial roads
- Collector roads
- Bus routes
- Roads within business areas
These areas will be marked with white "seasonal no parking" signs. Parking is still permitted on residential streets unless a subsequent Phase 2 ban is called. Violators face a $250 ticket and potential towing.
The city advises residents that parking is allowed on roads once snow removal is complete, provided parking is normally permitted there. Edmontonians can check the status of snow clearing on the city's Roadways Snow Clearing Map or subscribe to free email or text notifications for specific locations.
This parking ban adds to a list of weather-related disruptions over the holidays, which included a blowing snow advisory with gusts up to 60 km/h and the activation of the city's extreme weather response due to prolonged wind chills below -20.
