A snowstorm is expected on Friday—please use public transport instead of cars if possible
The Estonian Environment Agency warns of heavy snow and sleet across the country on Friday, continuing into Saturday. Blizzards and wind speeds of up to 24 m/s are expected. Please allow extra time to reach your destination.
Main roads and large areas are maintained by the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department’s contractors, while smaller roads and residential streets are handled by district partners. The city also clears sidewalks along major roads where pedestrian safety is a priority.
This year, the City of Tallinn is carrying out snow removal on a larger scale than before. An additional 60 km of sidewalks in Kesklinn and Põhja-Tallinn will be cleared, bringing the total to 120 km of sidewalks managed by the city-run Kadriorg Park. The snow removal map shows which sidewalks are cleared across Tallinn.
New this year is a trilingual snow website, www.tallinn.ee/en/lumi, providing the snow removal map, general information, and answers to frequently asked questions in Estonian, English, and Russian.
Despite the increased scale of snow removal, the city urges drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to be considerate of each other during winter conditions. It is impossible to address all areas simultaneously, so everyone is asked to monitor the weather, adjust their walking or driving speed, maintain a safe distance, and remain patient while traveling to their destination.
Roads may be slippery, and de-icing sidewalks and bike paths takes time. Pedestrians should take extra care before stepping onto crosswalks to ensure that vehicles have enough time to stop, as slippery conditions increase braking distances.
Tallinn has invested significant time in improving snow removal planning and oversight. Although progress has been made compared to previous years, there is still work to be done to meet residents’ expectations.
Over 200 winter maintenance vehicles are working on the city’s streets, and strict supervision is conducted over service providers, including penalties for contract violations.
For snow removal inquiries or feedback, residents can contact the city’s helpline at 14410 or 661 9680, or email [email protected].