Winter Storms

Yes, we live in Ontario Canada and if you have been here long enough to experience one of our winter seasons you have most likely found the need to scrape ice off of your windshield.  During the winter season keep yourself apprised of the coming weather and road conditions. 

Remember driving can become treacherous so consider where you are going; ensure you have a safety kit in your vehicle; let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get there.  As well, you may wish to add the Environment Canada website to your list of favourites so you can check on weather conditions or the Ministry of Transportation Site for updated road conditions and closures as well as driving tips and vehicle handling information.

GetPrepared.ca has a great deal of information on preparing for a blizzard or ice storm. 

Blizzards
 
When a winter storm hits, stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress for the weather. Outer clothing should be tightly woven and water-repellent. The jacket should have a hood. Wear mittens – they are warmer than gloves – and a hat, as most body heat is lost through the head.

In wide-open areas, visibility can be virtually zero during heavy blowing snow or a blizzard.

If you must travel during a winter storm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time.

With the common use of cell phones, make sure yours is charged before heading out.

If your car gets stuck in a blizzard or snowstorm, remain calm and stay in your car. Allow fresh air in your car by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side – away from the wind. You can run the car engine about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system is working well. Beware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to make sure it is not blocked with snow. Remember: you can't smell potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes.

To keep your hands and feet warm, exercise them periodically. In general, it is a good idea to keep moving to avoid falling asleep. If you do try to shovel the snow from around your car, avoid overexerting yourself.

Overexertion in the bitter cold can cause death as a result of sweating or a heart attack.

If you live on a farm, shelter animals. Generally, if the structure is sound, the animals should be placed indoors. Once they are inside, secure all openings to the outside. Water supplies should be checked for freezing. Many animals have died of thirst during the winter, even with abundant water sources, because they could not drink the water as it was frozen solid.

Ice storms

Ice from freezing rain accumulates on branches, power lines and buildings. If you must go outside when a significant amount of ice has accumulated, pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of the ice and fall on you. Ice sheets could also do the same.

Never touch power lines. A hanging power line could be charged (live) and you would run the risk of electrocution. Remember also that ice, branches or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after the end of the precipitation.

When freezing rain is forecast, avoid driving. Even a small amount of freezing rain can make roads extremely slippery. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends so that road maintenance crews have enough time to spread sand or salt on icy roads.

Rapid onsets of freezing rain combined with the risks of blizzards increase the chances for extreme hypothermia.

If you live on a farm, move livestock promptly to shelter where feed is available. Forage is often temporarily inaccessible during and immediately after ice storms. Animal reactions to ice storms are similar to that of blizzards.