March 16, 2026 (12:49pm) - Snow Emergency Tonight; Clean-up Continues

Bottom Line

3/16 (12:48pm): Snow emergency in effect for tonight as clean-up continues.  Citywide plowing work will continue through the afternoon and well into the evening hours. Your patience is appreciated. Expect slippery-snow covered roads if you travel.

Operations Update

Citywide snowplowing operations began today at 7:00am. 

Trucks have been plowing, and applying salt, to the main thoroughfares as needed.

Additional staff have been plowing the low speed, low traffic residential areas as well as working on the miles of pathways and bus stops around Madison – as have the Parks & Engineering Divisions. 

Heavy equipment contractors have also joined the citywide plowing operation to help push snow from the road as well.

The high winds have negatively affected the snowplowing work. We are seeing blowing and drifting snow, which is complicating the response as plowed areas become covered with new snow. Also, the overall severity of this storm has also slowed down progress – the deeper the snow, the heavier it is for trucks to push therefore the slower they travel. 

This will be a longer than usual citywide plowing response. We greatly appreciate your patience as our response continues. 

From this afternoon and on through the evening hours, the snowplowing work will continue.  Crews will keep working on the salt routes, and additional staff will also keep working on plowing snow in residential neighborhoods. 

Traveling Update

If you choose to get out on the roads today, you must exercise great caution. Carefully evaluate your actual need to be on the road and make good choices.  Be slow. Be patient.

City of Madison plows have been treating the salt routes since 2:00pm on Sunday – however, they are still snow-covered and slippery. Stay alert. Anticipate your stops and turns so you do not slide.

While residential plowing is underway, many residential areas are likely to have deep snow on them until this evening. 

Overnight Parking Snow Emergency

A snow emergency is in effect tonight as clean-up efforts will continue during the overnight hours.

Please choose off-street parking options if you can so you can help the snowplows make the streets wide and safe for all roadway users. 

If you must park on the street, you need to follow alternate side parking rules and all posted parking rules, too.

Alternate side parking is in effect for the entire City of Madison.

Trash & Recycling Collection Reminder

As a reminder, the Streets Division postponed trash and recycling collection for Monday, March 16, 2026.

Residents with a Monday collection day should place their carts out for pickup by 6:30am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

If you have a Tuesday collection day, you should also put your cart out for pickup by 6:30am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. 

Crews will be collecting the scheduled carts from residents that have a Monday & Tuesday collection day on 3/17/26.

Also, do not put the carts in the road for pickup. Carts in the street are an obstruction for snowplows just like parked cars. Use your driveway apron or a shoveled-out spot on the terrace for the carts. 

Monitoring the Roads

Streets Division staff will continue to monitor the roads and the weather. Operations are ongoing and will adjust as conditions require.