The weather outside is indeed frightful and it’s a good time to stay inside.

And wait for the streets to be plowed.

If you’re wondering how Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake snowplow efforts are progressing, the municipality has launched a new interactive plow tracking software through Telus Focus Optimization.

You’ll find it at notl.focus511.com.

The service will help provide residents with information on snow removal services through real-time updates.

The system can monitor where salt and sand have been distributed, what roads and sidewalks have been cleared, and where snow plows have been within the past 30 minutes.

“I am excited to see this interactive snowplow tracker utilized for the community’s benefit,” Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said in a news release.

“Maintaining excellent customer service is what the town strives to achieve and this is another great way we are enhancing service levels and ensuring effective information sharing is provided during a snowstorm.”

The online map identifies:

• Streets that have been salted/sanded.
• Streets/sidewalks that have been cleared.
• How long ago streets and sidewalks have been attended to.
• If a street is primary, secondary, private or under another jurisdiction.

“With this GIS (geographic information system) software, the town can keep residents up-to-date as snow removal efforts are taking place,” said chief administrator Marnie Cluckie.

“This is another modernization project the town is proud to present to its residents.”

The interactive tracking map is also available on the town’s website through the following link: www.notl.com/town-services/roads-infrastructure/snow-procedures.

Town officials encouraged residents to utilize the new digital service to stay informed and up-to-date during future snow storms.