You can also download the Highway Hotline Terminology Factsheet in PDF format.
| Condition | Definition |
| Seasonal Driving | No specific problems however there could be the occasional condition. |
| Ice Covered | The entire driving surface is covered with ice. |
| Slush | A build up of slush on the driving surface as a result of moderate or heavy snow fall when pavement temperatures are at or near the freezing point creating driving conditions that may cause an unsuspecting driver to lose control of a vehicle. |
| Icy or slippery sections | A minor situation identified due to intermittent rain, frost, sticking snow or ice patches (includes light pavement frost). |
| Wet/freezing | Highway is wet, subject to freezing as temperatures drop. |
| Pavement Frost | Build-up of frost that reduces braking power of vehicles. |
| Winter Conditions Exist | If conditions other than seasonal driving are reported, it automatically shows winter conditions exist (yellow line on the map). This may include icy, slippery sections or swirling snow. |
| Drifting snow | Ground drifting caused by winds which may affect surface conditions on the highway, such as sticking snow or may reduce visibility. |
| Swirling Snow | A condition created by traffic in loose snow that reduces visibility. |
| Loose Snow | Less than 8 cm of loose snow covers the driving surface that may cause some driving difficulties. |
| Heavy Snow | More than 8 cm of loose snow covers the driving surface. Traffic encounters problems when meeting or passing. |
| Snow Packed | This condition exists mainly on gravel roads where the entire driving surface is covered with packed snow. |
| Snow Drifts | Small snow dunes exist on the driving surface at intermittent intervals. |
| Travel Not Recommended | This means that visibility is less than 250 metres (poor); and/or the surface is icy; and/or the highway is doubtful; and/or the highway may be blocked. |
| Closed | Highway is impassable (or has been closed for operational reasons or weather). |
| Fog | Reported only when visibility is reduced. |
| Visibility Zero |
You can see less than 100 metres. Under this condition, highway maintenance equipment may be removed. |
| Visibility Poor | You can see less than 250 metres. Under this condition highway maintenance equipment will not begin work on the road until visibility improves. Equipment already on the road may be removed if visibility continues to deteriorate. |
| Visibility Reduced | You can see less than 250 to 500 metres. |
| Visibility Good | You can see more than 500 metres. |