SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has issued a snow safety alert for the first significant snowfall of the winter season in Syracuse, providing key reminders about plowing, sidewalk snow removal and traffic safety. The lake effect snow warning is currently in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday, November 29. The City’s annual “Home for the Holidays,” tree lighting celebration will still take place today, Friday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. in Clinton Square. City crews are ensuring walkways around Clinton Square are clear for pedestrians and visitors.
“Winter weather demands caution from all of us, and preparation is our strongest tool. Our DPW crews are responding citywide, and we’re asking residents to do their part—follow parking rules, clear sidewalks, and give plows the space they need to keep our roads safe,” said Mayor Ben Walsh. “For families traveling Downtown for holiday festivities, we encourage driving cautiously and dressing appropriately to stay warm as we gather.”
The local alert advises drivers to be prepared for hazardous road conditions, reminds residents to obey odd-even parking regulations, and urges property owners to clear their sidewalks and around fire hydrants. Information on snow safety in the City of Syracuse is available at syr.gov/winter. Residents are encouraged to use the City’s live Snowplow Map on the Snow Safety page to gauge real-time road conditions throughout the event to make informed decisions before venturing into snowy conditions.
What Residents Should Do
Property owners should clear snow from sidewalks on their properties and around fire hydrants. Keeping sidewalks as clear as possible during and after the storm helps to keep pedestrians from walking in roads with vehicle traffic.
The Syracuse Fire Department asks residents to clear a three-foot area around and a path to fire hydrants near their property.
The City will continue the Sidewalk Snow Removal program this year. Residents can view and download the map of sidewalks that will be cleared by the City in the Sidewalk Snow Removal section of the Snow Safety page. Even in these areas, residents are still responsible for keeping their sidewalks clear.
Residents should observe alternate side parking rules and park cars off-street whenever possible. DPW plows need to be able to access streets to clear them. Syracuse Police will be ticketing and towing vehicles that are illegally parked.
The City has identified priority streets for focused parking enforcement during snow events. These streets were selected using city data, including the percentage of multi-family dwellings, the width of the street, and other elements contributing to increases in on-street parking. The list also includes streets known to be challenging for plow drivers:
The City has posted signage marking the parking changes and listing the hours for alternate parking.
Restrictions are in place in the following areas:
Registered vehicle owners found in violation of the restrictions will be subject to ticketing and towing. For more information on Downtown Syracuse parking options, including options for overnight parking, please see the Downtown Parking brochure or contact the Downtown Committee at 315-422-8284 or email them at mail@downtownsyracuse.com.