Severe winter weather

Freezing rain, ice pellets, snow squalls, whiteouts, heavy snowfall, high winds, and extreme cold can lead to significant travel delays and disrupt daily routines. Beyond inconvenience, these conditions may cause property damage, power outages, and pose serious, life-threatening risks. It is essential to understand the hazards associated with severe winter weather and to know how to respond when alerts are issued for your area or any location you plan to travel to. Stay informed, plan ahead, and prioritize safety at all times.

Tips on preparing for severe winter weather

1. Prepare Before the Storm

Most winter storms are forecast well in advance. Assemble a fully stocked Home Emergency Survival Kit and store it in an easily accessible location.

2. Monitor Weather Conditions

Stay alert to changing weather patterns. Hazards such as snow squalls can occur with little warning. Check reliable sources regularly:

Local media and radio stations
Weather apps and trusted websites like The Weather Network
Environment Canada Alerts

3. Ensure Safe Travel

If travel is necessary, prepare your vehicle early:

Schedule a winter tune-up in mid-autumn.
Install snow tires before the season begins.
Pack a vehicle emergency kit with essentials: high-energy snacks, flashlight or hazard light, fresh batteries, blanket, and hand warmers.

4. Protect Yourself and Others

Extreme cold and wind chills pose risks for people and pets. Dress appropriately:

Wear a hat and layered, loose-fitting clothing.
Use water-repellent, wind-resistant outerwear. Watch for signs of hypothermia (shivering, confusion, loss of coordination) and frostbite (numbness or whitened skin on ears, nose, fingers, and toes).

5. Follow Travel Advisories

Respect all travel advisories and road closure notices. If emergency officials advise you to stay indoors, do so until conditions improve. Keeping vehicles off the road allows emergency crews to work safely.

6. Exercise Caution After the Storm

Hazards often remain after severe weather passes. Downed trees and power lines can be extremely dangerous. Avoid handling damaged power lines and use caution when clearing debris

Storm preparedness tips

Have a 72 hour emergency kit including food and water.
Make sure vehicles, generators, snow blowers, tractors, and other equipment are fueled and ready.
Have snow shovels, salt, sand, and ice-melter you may need.
If you use propane or furnace oil to heat your home, make sure tanks are filled up.
Have a vehicle emergency kit.
Make sure you have all of the supplies you need for your business, animals, livestock, or farm operation.
Have a way of powering and charging your cell phone should the power go out.
Check on seniors and other vulnerable people in your family or neighbourhood to make sure they know a storm is coming and they have what they need for a couple of days.

Winter weather alerts

The most effective safety measure during severe winter weather is to avoid travel whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, ensure you are well-informed and prepared. Monitor Environment Canada’s weather forecasts and pay attention to colour-coded alerts before determining whether it is safe to proceed. Additionally, review the forecast for both your route and your destination at your expected time of arrival to anticipate changing conditions. There are three types of alert colours and symbols issued by Environment Canada

Yellow

Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts
Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term
Yellow alerts are the most common

Orange

Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts
Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days
Orange alerts are uncommon

Red

Very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption
Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged
Red alerts are rare

Extreme cold

If a Cold Weather Alert is issued for Haldimand County. Warming centers will be made available, with their locations being posted on the Haldimand County Emergency Services Social Media sites as well as the Haldimand County website.