Winter storms – Get prepared
How to prepare before a winter storm
A major winter storm can last for days and make travel difficult. It is important to ensure there are enough supplies at home until conditions improve.
- Prepare your emergency kit. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away
- Make a household emergency plan. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
- Learn about colour-coded weather alerts and how forecasters use Weather Impact Guides to assign colours for the following alerts related to winter storms:
- Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning in the event of a power outage
- If you must travel during winter weather, take safety precautions and plan your trip
- Have a plan to shelter pets and farm animals
- Check on older adult relatives and neighbours to ensure they have sufficient supplies when a winter storm is expected. They may not be able to safely go outside to shop and may require food, medications, and other supplies to prepare
- Be aware of the risks in the event of an extended power outage
Where to get information
- Stay connected to weather alert services that share weather warnings, watches, advisories and statements:
- WeatherCAN app provides local weather alert notifications
- Weather information including public weather alerts across Canada
- Local radio and television broadcasts will help you stay up to date with the latest local weather information
Prepare your home
- Take steps to winterize your home including:
- insulating walls and attics
- caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows
- installing outdoor storm windows or covering windows with plastic indoors
- Have shovels, salt, and snow removal supplies in an easily accessed place
- Install snow fences in rural areas to reduce drifting snow on roads and paths
- Check your house including your roof for damage
- Consider having an alternate power source (e.g., outdoor generator) in case you lose power for an extended period of time
- Consider having a backup heat source (e.g., fireplace, wood stove, or space heater) so that you can stay warm
- If required, string a lifeline (such as a rope) between your house and any outbuildings that you might have to access during the winter
- Learn more about how to prepare for extreme cold
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
- Install certified carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup in hallways and outside of sleeping areas
- If you have fuel burning appliances such as stoves or fireplaces, make sure they are well maintained and working properly
- Clean your chimney and flues
- Never use a fuel-burning generator or fuel-burning cooking equipment such as BBQs or camping stoves inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed, or under a covered area outside the house (such as under an awning or gazebo)
- Operate portable generators at least 6 metres (20 feet) from all homes or buildings. Direct the exhaust away from open windows and doors. Close all windows and doors closest to or downwind from the generator
- If you use your vehicle to charge electronics or warm up, do not idle your vehicle in a garage, even with the garage door open
- Ensure proper ventilation if using fuel-burning appliances
- Learn more about carbon monoxide and preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
Prepare your vehicle
- Be ready to change or cancel your travel plans if hazardous travel conditions are expected
- Get a vehicle emergency kit including winter supplies
- Ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions, such as having winter tires a full tank of gas and plenty of windshield washer fluid
During a winter storm
Stay up to date with weather forecasts and plan ahead
When severe winter storms are forecast:
- Avoid driving if a winter storm is happening and delay your travel plans until after the storm has passed, making sure to check weather forecasts and driving conditions
- Avoid exposure to extreme cold and snow
- Do not overexert yourself or work outside for extended periods of time
- If you must go outside, dress for the weather and be prepared for hazardous travel conditions
- Avoid travelling alone and at night
- Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows before driving
- Drive slowly in the snow as visibility can be low
- Be aware of black ice, which can be difficult to see, even when visibility is good
- Learn more about driving safely in winter
- If trapped, stay inside your vehicle. Be sure the tail pipe is kept clear of snow and ice
- Help anyone who needs assistance in your neighbourhood if conditions allow
- Run a trickle of water to prevent pipes from freezing
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in the event of a power outage. Frequently check outdoor exhaust vents to make sure they are clear of snow and ice. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up if fuel burning appliance exhaust vents are blocked
After a winter storm
- Salt walkways and remove snow from your sidewalks to reduce risk of injury from slipping on ice
- Watch out for flooding caused by melting snow
- Be aware of the risks in the event of extreme cold weather
- Check pipes, since these may be frozen, as water expands when it freezes and can cause pipes to burst. Leaks may occur behind walls which can be difficult to notice
- Once thawed, check for water damage and monitor the affected areas for mould growth