The City of Toronto is warning residents that city crews are beginning a snow-removal operation on neighbourhood and arterial streets in the wake of Wednesday’s heavy snow.

Starting early Saturday, crews may need to conduct “friendly tows” to move residents’ cars to nearby locations to make room for snow-removal equipment, the city said in a Friday news release. Signs will be posted in advance on streets where snow removal is planned.

Dozens of crews will be working 12-hour shifts using snow blowers, loaders and dump trucks to clear built-up snow over the next five to seven days, the release said.

With no significant thaw in the forecast until mid-March, the city said it plans to prioritize clearing streets to ensure safety and make way for emergency vehicles.

Including this Wednesday’s storm, Toronto has endured about a year’s worth of winter precipitation in the last six weeks, with periods of extreme wind and cold.

According to Environment Canada, Toronto has received about 128 centimetres of snow since November. The 20-year average for annual snowfall in Toronto is about 105 centimetres.

The city has received criticism for its snow removal operations after major snow storms this year.

Following a Jan. 28 storm — which brought in about 30 centimetres of snow — the city said staff removed 250 kilometres of snow to open catch basins and clear strategic areas ahead of a thaw.

The snow removal operation will begin between 6 to 7 a.m. Saturday.

The snow will be moved to city storage facilities, the release said.

Read more:

Where’s my snow plow? Here’s when, where and how the city decides to start plowing

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...