Winters in Canada
Winters in Canada can be harsh, with temperatures falling well below the
freezing mark. Winter typically lasts from November until late March, and it is
normal for snow to be on the ground for this length of time in many
provinces/territories.
The harshness of winter conditions in Canada depends on the province or
territory. For example, coastal British Columbia (Vancouver) is relatively mild,
with temperatures normally above freezing point and generally more rain than
snow, during the winter months. However, the majority of Canada, particularly
the more central and northern parts of the country, experience harsh winter
conditions, with abundant snow and temperatures well below zero.
Besides the extremely cold temperatures - heavy snowfall, blizzards, freezing
rain and high wind chills are also common hazards during Canadian winters. It is
advisable to check weather forecasts before venturing outside as weather can
change quickly. There are television channels devoted to the weather, as well as
regular weather updates on local news bulletins and on radio channels.
It is particularly important to check the wind chill factor, as this can significantly
affect how cold it feels when outside, and how quickly the cold can affect you.
“Wind chill” can be defined as the rate at which our bodies lose heat from the
combined effects of wind and cold temperatures. If one day is windy and another
day is not, your body will lose heat faster on the windy day even if the
temperatures are the same on the thermometer, and exposed skin will freeze
quickly.
If it gets to around -40 with the wind chill, chances are that the schools will be
closed. Check in the morning on the Wolf Creek website or on Sunny 94 to see if
your child’s school is operating.
But it’s not all bad news! The climate in Canada means fun activities that might
not be possible in warmer areas….like skating, skiing, tobogganing, and snowshoeing!
PEOPLE
Dressing for Extreme Cold Temperatures

Dress in layers, with a wind and waterproof outside layer. It is best to buy
winter clothing that is made in Canada, as these are specifically made for
the Canadian climate.

Get proper insulated winter boots, designed to withstand very cold
temperatures.

Wear a good winter hat that covers your ears, and mittens or gloves.
Mittens are warmer than gloves.

Thermal undergarments (or Thinsulate long-johns and tops) are
recommended to provide extra protection against the cold, if spending
time outdoors in minus temperatures.

Scarves are useful to cover the face and protect the mouth, nose and
lungs from the cold air.
Looking After Children in Winter

Watch for frostbite on small children; notable signs include a small white
patch on exposed skin. The cheeks are often the first to freeze, but bare
fingers and ears will also freeze quickly.

Dress children in layers and always make sure they wear mittens, hats
and waterproof warm clothing. When you are thinking of how to dress a
little child or baby, remember to dress them the same way you would
dress yourself plus one extra layer. For a baby, this extra layer might be a
blanket.

Keep children dry. Try to play close to home on cold days so if they get
wet, they can get home quickly to warm up. Watch out for shivering; this
is a sign to go indoors.

Wool socks and woolen garments next to the skin are advised, as they
keep the skin warm and dry, unlike cotton which absorbs sweat and may
get damp. Remember that damp clothing does not insulate well.

Keep some good skin moisturizer on hand. This is available at
drugstores, supermarkets and department stores. The cold, dry weather
can make skin irritated, rough, and itchy. Moisturizers can really help
when applied regularly.
Your Vehicle
Main roads are normally cleared by snowplows after a snow fall. Sometimes this
can take a few days though, so there are times when driving on snow and ice is
unavoidable. Drivers should prepare and maintain their vehicle for winter driving
conditions in the following ways.

Install winter tires. Canada has an industry standard for snow tires to help
consumers identify which tires have the necessary traction for winter
conditions. They are made of a softer rubber compound than all-season
tires and the tread patterns are designed to provide the best grip.

Make sure the fluid in the windscreen wiper reservoir and anti-freeze in
the cooling system is designed for use in cold temperatures.

When temperatures fall below freezing do not let the gas tank get too low
or condensation will build up inside the tank, which then freezes into ice.
When it melts, it combines with the gas and then freezes again in the gas
line. This will cause problems keeping the vehicle running. You should
always try to keep the fuel gauge above half. You don’t want to run out of
gas and find yourself walking when it’s -30, either!

When temperatures go below -20°C, a block heater or battery warmer
may be necessary to ensure the engine starts properly. You’ll probably
need extension cords to plug these into the electrical outlet on your house.

Wash the vehicle regularly to get rid of salt and grit from the roads,
because it is corrosive and will cause your vehicle to rust.
The following items should be kept in the vehicle during the winter in the
event of a breakdown:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Small snow shovel
Booster cables
Cell phone and charger
Brush and ice scraper
Candle and matches or flashlight
Additional warm clothing
Bag of sand or cat litter
Emergency food
9. Blankets and extra hats and gloves
Your Driving
Winter driving might sound scary when you’re new to it, especially when
conditions are snowy or icy. Follow these steps to keep yourself safe and
accident free during the next few blustery winter months.
Step 1: Make sure that your vehicle is prepared for winter driving.

Winter tires are a good option, as they will provide greater traction under snowy
or icy conditions.

Keep a snow brush/scraper in your car, along with possible emergency items
such as a lightweight shovel, battery jumper cables, and a flashlight.

Make sure that mirrors, all windows, and the top of your vehicle, are free of snow
or frost before getting onto the road.
Step 2: Drive smoothly and slowly

Don’t make any abrupt turns or stops when driving. Doing so will often cause
your vehicle to lose control and skid.

Driving too quickly is the main cause of winter collisions. Be sure to drive slowly
and carefully on snow and ice covered roads.
Step 3: Don’t tailgate.

Tailgating is a much bigger problem in winter, because stopping takes much
longer on snowy and icy roads than on dry pavement. Be sure to leave enough
room between your vehicle and the one in front of you for safe stopping.
Step 4: Brake before making turns.

Brake slowly to reduce speed before entering turns. Once you have rounded the
corner you can accelerate again.
Step 5: Learn how to control skids.

When skidding, you actually need to go against your natural instincts and turn
into the skid and accelerate. Doing so transfers your vehicle’s weight from the
front to the rear and often helps vehicles to regain control.
Step 6: Lights On.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Step 7: No Cruise Control.

Never use cruise control if conditions are snowy, icy, or wet, because if your car
hydroplanes, your car will try to accelerate and you may lose control of your
vehicle.
Step 8: Don’t “pump” the brakes.

If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock breaking system (ABS), do not
“pump” the brakes. Apply constant pressure and let the system do its work.
Step 9: Pay attention.

Maneuvers are more difficult to make in the snow. Be sure to anticipate what
your next move is going to be to give yourself lots of room for turns and stopping.
Listen or watch for the regular weather bulletins. It is not recommended to
drive when freezing rain or snowstorms are expected.
HOMES
Most homes in Canada are equipped with central heating and a thermostat, so
internal temperatures can be easily controlled. Homes normally have electric
heaters, natural gas or oil furnaces which blow warm air through vents. Canadian
homes are also well insulated and therefore, stay warm.
Most people find 20-22C a comfortable temperature when they are home – but
you must keep your house at least 5C in the winter even if you are not at home,
because your water pipes could freeze and burst if your house gets too cold.
Winters are often dry and cold so static electricity can be a problem. Fabric
softeners and humidifiers can help reduce the problem in your home, but nothing
completely eliminates the problem – we learn to live with hair that sometimes
stands straight up, clothes that cling, and getting a snap on the finger whenever
we turn on the lights. 
Homes should be prepared for winter by checking to make sure your air vents
are not obstructed and that your windows seal tightly, and either replacing
furnace filters or keeping them clean if you have the washable type.
Households should have flashlights and extra batteries stored in a handy place
inside the home, in case of power outages caused by high winds or snowstorms.
Use sand or commercial ice melting products to keep steps and pathways free of
slippery and dangerous ice.
Driveways and sidewalks need to be cleared from snow on a regular basis. You
can either plan do the shoveling yourself or hire someone to do it for you – but
either way it must be done because most city bylaws require it. If you are going
to do your own shoveling, you’ll need a snow shovel which can be bought at
most large supermarkets, hardware stores, or department stores. If you have a
large driveway, maybe you could invest in a snow blower. They can be fairly
expensive but it’s a quicker and less labour intensive way to clear a big driveway!