Whitehorse Daily Star

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SNOW CRAWL – Traffic creeps along Robert Service Way near the roundabout on Tuesday afternoon. Second and Fourth avenues were socked in solid late in the afternoon as many motorists quit work for the day to begin their slippery commute home. Inset Richard Graham

Snow snarls traffic, knocks out power

While Tuesday’s snowfall did not break any records,

By Gord Fortin on November 14, 2018

While Tuesday’s snowfall did not break any records, it proved to be challenging for Whitehorse snow removal and power companies.

Bobby Sekhon, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, told the Star this morning that the city received between 15 and 18 centimetres, depending on the area

He said this did not set a record as the deepest snowfall in one calendar day because the event took place both Tuesday and early this morning.

The monthly average for November snowfalls is 27 centimetres, Sekhon said.

The record for a single-day snowfall in November stands at 14.6 centimetres, on Nov. 3, 1949. He clarified that if yesterday’s snowfall had taken place in one calendar day, it would have buried this record.

Sekhon explained that getting that much snow in one day is unusual.

Richard Graham is the manager of the city’s operations department.

He said this morning the city had been expecting two to four centimetres Tuesday with an additional two to four centimetres overnight due to the original weather forecast.

City crews began their shift at 5 a.m. Tuesday and they were all out clearing snow by noon.

He explained the city ran into trouble because the snow fell quickly, and was both wet and heavy.

This caused the snow to stick to vehicles. The temperature did not help, as it was 0 C, which created the wet snow and slippery roads.

Graham said crews sanded Two Mile Hill, but the snow fell so quickly, it was covered again. He said this was noticeable even minutes later.

“That’s when challenging conditions happen,” he said. Some vehicles were sliding backward down the hill.

The same conditions impacted Robert Service Way, Hamilton Boulevard and Mountainview Drive.

Snow clearing continued today. He has not heard of any traffic delays thus far today. Overall, Graham felt the city did well.

“I think we did a good job overnight,” he said.

Graham explained that the city’s main priorities are major arterial roads, emergency routes, major bus routes and roads with steep grades.

The secondary priorities are the other arterial roads, industrial roads, downtown roads as well as roads adjacent to both schools and city facilities.

He said snow clearing policies are updated regularly. The city is currently going through that process, but he was not able to say if the priority roads would change.

He explained crews are well-prepared for winter conditions after Thanksgiving. Both staff and equipment are ready. Staff ensures all the trucks and heavy equipment are fuelled and the snowplow blades are new.

“You’re as prepared for it as you can be,” Graham said.

He said the city has six graders, six loaders and 10 heavy trucks for snow clearing. There are also skid-steer loaders used for sidewalks adjacent to city buildings.

Whitehorse also fell victim to power outages in some areas.

ATCO Electric operations supervisor Bill Cullen said this morning there were multiple outages last night and this morning. The company had crews out all night managing the outages.

The city began experiencing multiple small outages starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. These were caused by snow weighing down power lines.

He said these outages could last as long as one hour depending on how fast staff can fix the problem.

Cullen explained that when a line is weighed down, it can touch the line below it, which will result in a blown fuse.

Snow can also fall off of a weighed-down-line, which would cause it to bounce and touch the line below it, with the same result.

There was a larger outage at 2 a.m. today. This affected Whistle Bend, Crestview, the Alaska Highway west, and North Klondike Highway. A tree, weighed down by snow, fell onto a power line.

He said ATCO is still managing an isolated outage in the North Klondike Highway area.

Janet Patterson, a Yukon Energy spokesperson, said this morning that there were outages across the territory triggered by heavy snow sitting on power lines.

She said there were approximately 2,000 customers affected in Dawson City, Faro, Pelly Crossing and Stewart Crossing.

These outages occurred at around 8 p.m. Tuesday. Power was restored at approximately 8:30 p.m.

RCMP spokesperson Coralee Reid gave a rundown of several motor vehicle accidents from yesterday, with no injuries reported.

She said the first took place at 7:30 a.m. It was a head-on collision at the intersection of Two Mile Hill and the Alaska Highway. Traffic was delayed one hour while emergency crews worked at the scene. Both vehicles had to be towed away.

There was another incident at the intersection of the Alaska Highway and Robert Service Way at 3 p.m. involving a tractor-trailer.

The road was closed while the scene was cleared. Traffic was diverted at Fourth Avenue and Robert Service. The road closure lasted until 4:30 p.m.

Reid also gave word of three other accidents.

One involved two vehicles near Thompson Road and Wilson Drive at noon yesterday.

The next involved two vehicles at the intersection of the Alaska Highway and Range Road at 1:30 p.m.

The third was a hit-and-run on a parked car on Third Avenue near Hoge Street. Police estimate this happened between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

She said there were no incidents reported today, as of press time this afternoon.

Graham recommended anyone driving in such conditions to make sure their vehicles are ready for winter.

This includes getting tires better-suited for winter. He also recommended drivers slow down and avoid unnecessary travel.

Reid added that drivers should plan their travel to give themselves extra time.

Drivers should also give themselves extra space between vehicles for stopping. She agreed that everyone should drive to the conditions.

“Posted speed limit signs are meant for ideal conditions with bare pavement,” she said in an email.

“When the roads are snow-covered, with possible icy patches throughout, all drivers should be using extra care and caution on the roads.”

 See letter.

Comments (21)

Up 1 Down 0

Rightfully impugned on Nov 22, 2018 at 8:14 pm

@ David - In the first 2WD-4WD test, Team O’Neil... concluded that driving in 4WD mode helped reduce the stopping distance.

https://jalopnik.com/this-should-settle-the-4wd-vs-2wd-winter-braking-debate-1822591648

Up 2 Down 2

David on Nov 22, 2018 at 1:36 pm

@ Rightfully impugned
The reasons why there aren’t safety differences between 4WD (or 4x4) and 2WD is because there aren’t any special powers inherent in 4WD transmissions. They’re simply transmissions where all four wheels are powered instead of the front or back two. Once a vehicle is in motion, all four wheels are in motion, powered or not. A 4WD system doesn’t help you steer more accurately or stop more quickly; your steering has to do with the overall geometry of your vehicle, your speed, and the quality of your tires for the specific ground conditions. Your stopping power involves many things, but none of them have to do with whether you’re driving a 4WD transmission or a 2WD transmission. The sole advantage of 4WD is, when paired with suitable tires, an increased ability to extricate the vehicle from low-traction situations - this means an improved ability to get moving in mud, slush, snow, and similar wet/dry situations. 4WD will not help you stop any sooner than 2WD in a vehicle matched by road conditions, speed, mass, tire size and tread, and brake quality. Every 4-wheeled vehicle on the road (4WD and 2WD) already has 4-wheel braking. Similarly, 4WD will not help you steer; every 4-wheeled vehicle (4WD and 2WD) already has 2-wheel steering. Essentially, considering the above, there is no substantial difference between a 4WD and 2WD in terms of safety.

Up 2 Down 1

Rightfully impugned on Nov 21, 2018 at 6:45 pm

@ Charlie’s Aunt and David - You make absolutely no sense with respect to the issue of 4x4 vs 2 WD.

Furthermore you assume that your personal recollections are equated with reality. This is not true and it is not true of any one person.
Perhaps you can provide some evidence to support your statements and beliefs on the issue.
It would be helpful in weighing the utility of your opinions. Thanks in advance!

Up 2 Down 1

Charlie's Aunt on Nov 20, 2018 at 11:28 pm

@ David; Good post, as someone wisely said ages ago, a 4x4 is good for getting stuck further in the bush or in deeper snow than a 2 wheel drive. Seriously a 4x4 is good for getting out of deep snow, but not needed for hwy driving. Winter tires are a no-brainer, 4x4 might help you get going, but it won't help you stop on slippery roads; some manage, but winter tires are safer & don't anyone think mud grips serve the same purpose. Just get a grip folks.

Up 8 Down 5

David on Nov 20, 2018 at 11:31 am

I've never understood why so many people in the Yukon think you need a 4x4 vehicle to handle our winters. I was born and grew up in the Yukon but have spent time in Alberta, BC, and Quebec, and from my experiences Yukon winters are really not a big deal. We don't get a lot of snow and it's usually pretty dry, down south they get freezing rain and snow dumps several feet deep which is much more difficult to deal with than what we get up here. I have a 4x4 truck but I only use it for working or hunting, my daily driver is a 2 wheel drive small car (because it burns less than half the gas my truck does!) and i have never had an issue with it in the winter. In fact, I've gone by many 4x4 vehicles having troubles with the winter conditions when I was just fine in my little car; it's all about knowing how to drive in the conditions. People claim that 4x4 vehicles are safer in the winter, but the thing they don't seem to understand is that a 4x4 is only better than a 2WD when accelerating fast on slippery surfaces or getting unstuck, it is in no way safer. When talking about safety, the only thing that matters is how fast you can stop or how much grip you get going around a corner and a 4x4 does not stop any faster than a 2WD!

Someone made a comment on not owning winter tires because they are too expensive; this person has clearly not calculated the long term implementations of owning two sets of tires, here is a quick summary: two sets of tires cost twice as much up front but will last you twice as long, meaning it does not cost you anything extra in the long run!

I agree that some people do have the skill and understanding to use all-season tires year-round, but if we were to allow them to run all-seasons in the winter then we would have to let everyone, meaning there will be some people running all-seasons in the winter when they should not be, resulting in dangerous situations for everyone. Unfortunately laws cannot cater to everyone's specific needs, they can only cater to the general population. What would be the downside of mandatory winter tires? As discussed earlier, it does not cost any more for the individual in the long run, and it makes everyone safer...it seems like a no brainer..?

Up 21 Down 3

Groucho d'North on Nov 17, 2018 at 10:11 am

The one element not yet mentioned in these comments is TIME. Most thinking people realize that it is going to take more time to move about town and get your tasks completed when there is a fresh dump of snow on the ground, yet they fail to adjust their planning to allow for this extra time requirement. So they all get in their regular after work traffic pattern and become frustrated when they find they are late in completing their various chores. Driving fast on slippery roads creates collisions and visits to the ditch where you will spend even more time dealing with these situations. Slow down, or perhaps even delay your regular driving pattern for an hour or two. Quality winter tires certainly help, but for some, it also allows them to drive like jerks which create even more angst, and some inexperienced drivers should not even be on the road until they have learned to drive in these conditions. The real problem is people have to marshal themselves while behind the wheel, and history has demonstrated that very few are any good at that.

Up 10 Down 10

Geoff on Nov 16, 2018 at 5:10 pm

I have never owned snow tires (can't afford them), in 31 years of car ownership. I have always driven on all-season radials. I have been stuck twice when the snow was super deep. I drive an automatic since 1998, but I gear down, even to first gear, to get going on snow/ice, and often in third gear when I'm rolling along on iffy surfaces. I brake early, and accelerate gently, careful to notice if I'm losing traction. Typical street grades are usually not a problem if you're patient, use low gear and accelerate gently.

Up 35 Down 6

I'm not sure why this was a surprise on Nov 16, 2018 at 11:37 am

News flash. It snowed. Everyone panic!
We live in the Yukon where it's expected...this shouldn't be an annual surprise.
I think the biggest message would be to SLOW DOWN, PUT DOWN YOUR CELL PHONE and drive according to road conditions.

Up 31 Down 5

Juniper Jackson on Nov 15, 2018 at 7:58 pm

This was a huge, water laden snow dump in a short period of time. Some people with great tires drove like crazy ***tards, some people with all season did fine..if you don't know how to drive in the North, any tire is not going to help you.. that being said.. the City work crews, the YTG crews, worked through the night and into the next morning. Small neighborhoods where there were folks with small plows, cleared sidewalks for the kids out trying to get buses in the morning.. the trailer parks roads off Range Road were all cleared. I think they did a great job.

We have a LOT of new drivers here, many who have come from Southeast Asia, Pacific Islanders, have never seen snow before...these days you have to have eyes in the back of your head and on both sides.

Even without the snow, some drivers are reckless and stupid, even a prayer won't help them.

Up 29 Down 8

Ad Absurdum on Nov 15, 2018 at 7:45 pm

@ Ya Sure - Quit yer whinin... In years former the snow removal plan was “spring”. 2 times a year - What land of great privilege do ye originate from that 2xs a year is not sufficient?

Go get yourself a vehicle with 4 wheel drive.
It is ridiculous to see cars let alone Prius’, smart cars, Waves and Aveos etc. in the North and then have those people complain about the bumpy ride, getting stuck on the side of the road, sliding with tires spinning etc.

They are dangerous people with a small mindedness that limits their ability for responsible thought. If you need brain surgery don’t get a consult from a proctologist unless of course you got Schmidt for brains!

Be responsible, use the city’s resources wisely and drive a 4X4!

Although it hilarious to watch people try and get into their driveways after the city has buried them or created a 4-6 inch lip to climb - Enough to damage the undercarriage of them little dinky toys they’re driving!

Up 24 Down 2

Jonah Whale on Nov 15, 2018 at 5:24 pm

I was on the south Klondike and conditions changed for fair to poor very quickly.
Think Richard was correct it was snowing heavily and it became very slippery quickly and as we all know there are some sketchy drivers here.

Not sure I blame the snowflakes, I blame the snow.

Up 16 Down 18

Ya Sure on Nov 15, 2018 at 2:40 pm

Not saying people should not drive with caution and care, good tires and slow down for road conditions. But this City has the worst Snow Removal Plan during the season than I have seen anywhere else ever. Remove snow once or twice a year for all roads. This City is under equipped for the size of area they have taken on, so that means it is also poorly managed...Period. I would have ran two graders wings out or (two trucks full of sand wings out... oh they don't have wings) out all access hills with two sand trucks behind them blackening the hills.... then taken care of major access routes, then back to the hills..... but with what they have... they are doomed..

Up 14 Down 17

BnR on Nov 15, 2018 at 2:37 pm

Snowflakes?
Bandit, the biggest whiners in the comments sections are you and your alt-right compadres.

Up 40 Down 14

David on Nov 15, 2018 at 9:27 am

I don't know for sure but I hear most of the traffic issues were caused by people running inadequate tires for winter conditions on their vehicles. Down south if you don't have real winter tires on you get ticketed as it is dangerous to yourself and others around you, I don't understand why we don't do that in the Yukon. People blaming the city for not clearing and sanding the roads quick enough is ridiculous, it would not be a problem if you just had proper tires on your vehicle.

Up 18 Down 28

Bandit on Nov 15, 2018 at 8:45 am

It's funny that it seems all the snowflakes want snowflakes on their tires. Learn how to drive. All season tires are fine if you drive according to road conditions.

Up 28 Down 20

Snowed Under on Nov 14, 2018 at 6:25 pm

This really is a Liberal problem. Too many snowflakes. Vote conservative!

Up 39 Down 3

Jason??? on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:18 pm

Hypothetically, how would you have done things differently Jason? Maybe the city should think about heating two mile, so snow doesn’t stick? Not their fault it snowed. Put on some better tires and stop being a crybaby.

Up 71 Down 8

Breton on Nov 14, 2018 at 4:14 pm

This just in....It’s winter put on the proper tires.

Up 29 Down 58

Jason on Nov 14, 2018 at 3:59 pm

Great that Mr. Graham thinks the city did a good job - does anyone else think that? Let's see, we had gridlock traffic for hours and every single road was sketchy, including the main arterial roads. I appreciate that there was a fair amount of snow, but let's be honest, the City did not do a good job of keeping on top of that.

Up 21 Down 16

If these avenues were one way you would not have such a problem. on Nov 14, 2018 at 3:30 pm

But the mayor stated it would not work. How does he know?

Up 74 Down 14

Michelle Lines on Nov 14, 2018 at 3:30 pm

I think a lot of the problems with this snow fall could have been avoided if people had the proper tires on their vehicles. Too many people are relying on all season tires when proper winter tires are needed. I do not understand why this is not mandated. Our roads would be a lot safer.

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